Notebook & Site Glossary:

A B C D E F G H I L N O P R S T U

Self (The)

The psychological concept of "the self" refers to the way individuals perceive, understand, and define their own identity, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It encompasses both how we view ourselves internally (our self-concept) and how we believe we are seen by others ( our social identity).

Social Psychology

Investigates how people influence, and are influenced by, their social environment, including social interactions, group behavior, attitudes, and identity. Social psychologists study phenomena such as prejudice, group dynamics, conformity, and interpersonal relationships.

System 1 Thinking

The fast, automatic, and intuitive mode of thinking in the dual-process theory of cognition (popularized by psychologist Daniel Kahneman). It operates effortlessly and continuously, handling most of our daily decisions without conscious awareness.

Key Features of System 1

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Fast & Automatic

Reacts instantly (e.g., jerking your hand from a hot stove).

No deliberate effort required.

Unconscious & Effortless

Runs in the background (e.g., reading facial expressions, understanding language).

Emotion-Driven

Linked to instincts, gut feelings, and snap judgments.

Heuristic-Based

Uses mental shortcuts (heuristics) for efficiency, but these can lead to biases.

System 2 Thinking

The slow, effortful, and logical mode of thinking in psychology's dual-process theory (developed by Daniel Kahneman). Unlike the automatic System 1, System 2 handles complex tasks that require focus, reasoning, and self-control.

Key Features of System 2

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Slow & Deliberate

Processes information step-by-step (e.g., solving 17 × 24).

Operates at ~40 bits/second (vs. System 1’s ~11 million bits/second).

Conscious & Effortful

Requires attention and mental energy (like a muscle that tires).

You’re aware you’re using it.

Rule-Based & Logical

Follows formal logic (e.g., "If A > B and B > C, then A > C").

Checks System 1’s intuitive guesses for errors.

Flexible & Adaptable

Learns new skills (e.g., driving stick shift, coding).

Can override impulsive System 1 responses (e.g., resisting dessert).

Index Of Tactical Notebook Articles In Order Of Suggested Reading:

This index is a revision of our now removed Legacy Member Handbook series. New articles are added over time and the index adjusted accordingly. Visist the “Updates” environment (linked in the main navigation menu) to get up to speed or see when new content is added or changes have been made to existing articles.