When Thoughts Become Scattershot The Structure of the Mind When Attention Ramps Up 2011 and Beyond
Mental shotgun, discussed in light of Daniel Kahneman's dual process theory, is a phenomenon in which the supposedly cautious and analytical system2 operates more than it should and diffuses attention and processing excessively. Even though one already has enough information to make a decision, one tries to read more details, delve into the context, and consider all possibilities. As a result, instead of converging on a single point, thoughts spread out like scattered bullets, delaying and exhausting judgment.
The trouble with this phenomenon is that even if the person knows it is futile, he or she cannot stop. Many people may have experienced that a single typo can cause them to reread the entire document, or to examine assumptions that are unnecessary for decision-making. This is a situation where the diligence of System 2 backfires, and its ability to focus attention creates an overconsumption of attention.
In modern society, this mental shotgun is particularly prone to reinforcement. In an environment of information overload, there is an endless supply of decision-making material and an endless number of subjects to analyze. The concepts of decision fatigue and analysis paralysis have been introduced on the Web, pointing out that overthinking itself reduces the quality of judgment. Studies in behavioral economics and cognitive psychology have shown that an increase in the amount of information does not necessarily increase rationality, emphasizing the importance of the ability to stop thinking at appropriate points.
Mental shotgunning is an ironic side effect of trying to be rational. Simply letting intuition take over or sinking into analysis distorts judgment. Separating necessary information from unnecessary information and having the courage to avoid triggering thoughts is becoming a requirement for sound judgment in the modern age.
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