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The Incentives Lab
HBT-BIO-0028 · Dimension BIO · Biology

Dual-Process Theory

Two ways of thinking, both real, both useful, often mis-deployed.

Decision·Neural Mechanism·Grade B·draft· enriching…

Scientific Definition

Two ways of thinking, both real, both useful, often mis-deployed.

Plain-English Definition

Two ways of thinking, both real, both useful, often mis-deployed.

Feynman Explanation

Most executive errors are mis-matches between mode and moment.

Core Principle

Two ways of thinking, both real, both useful, often mis-deployed.

Mechanisms

Psychological

Pending editorial review.

Behavioral Economic

Pending editorial review.

Neurological

Two ways of thinking, both real, both useful, often mis-deployed.

Evolutionary

Pending editorial review.

Sociological

Pending editorial review.

Computational

Pending editorial review.

Systems

Pending editorial review.

Inputs (Triggers)

Pending editorial review.

Outputs (Behaviors)

Pending editorial review.

Behavioral Signature

Most executive errors are mis-matches between mode and moment.

Examples

Everyday
  • Snap judgments where slow thinking was needed.
Modern (Organizational)
  • Decision process design.
Historical

Pending editorial review.

Famous Experiments

Pending editorial review.

Design Principles

  • Tag decisions by required mode before deciding.

Measurement Approaches

Pending editorial review.

Evidence

Evidence Grade
B (A strongest → E speculative)
Replication
★★★☆☆
Intervention Confidence
2 / 5
Consensus
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Limitations
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Open Research Questions

Pending editorial review.

Primary References

Pending editorial review.

Signature Section

The Perverse Incentive Lens™

How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.

Exploitation
Decision process design.
Amplifying Incentives
Decision process design.
Org Failure Modes
Decision process design.
Societal Failure Modes
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Ethical Considerations
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Redesign Strategies
Tag decisions by required mode before deciding.
Diagnostic Questions
  • Tag decisions by required mode before deciding.
Warning Signs

Pending editorial review.

Red Flags

Pending editorial review.

Intervention Playbook
Individual
Tag decisions by required mode before deciding.
Team
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Organization
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Policy
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
AI Implications
Detection
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Measurement
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Mitigation
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Responsible Use
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).

Interactive Mini Network

Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.

HBT-BIO-0028 · BIO
Dual-Process Theory
DTCAChoice ArchitectureCOChoice OverloadDFDecision FatigueDEDefault Effect (Neur…SQStatus Quo Bias (Neu…SVSystem 1 vs. System 2ALAffect LabelingALAllostatic LoadAHAmygdala HijackACAnterior Cingulate C…

Knowledge Graph Neighbors

Version History

v1.1.0 · 2026-06-28Initial auto-seed from corpus.