Intuition
Gal Harpaz, The Open University of Israel
doctorharpaz@gmail.com
Intuition is commonly defined as the rapid, automatic, and often subconscious processing of information that enables individuals to make quick judgements without deliberate reasoning. It plays a crucial role in shaping individuals’ opinions by influencing their immediate reactions and judgements. Intuition can also be viewed as an accumulation of attitudes—encompassing beliefs and opinions—formed through both individual and cultural experiences. These intuitive impressions often guide people’s initial responses, especially in uncertain or emotionally charged situations.
Kahneman frames intuition within his dual-system theory of thinking, describing it as System 1—a fast, heuristic-driven process that contrasts with the slower, more analytical System 2. While intuitive judgements are efficient and often useful, they are also prone to cognitive biases and errors due to their reliance on mental shortcuts. Gigerenzer, however, offers a more optimistic perspective, suggesting that intuition relies on ‘fast and frugal heuristics’ that can be highly effective, especially in real-world environments where decisions must be made quickly. He contends that intuition is often based on implicit knowledge and can outperform analytical reasoning in specific contexts. Hogarth adds that the accuracy of intuitive decisions depends greatly on the environment in which they are formed. In settings that provide reliable feedback and repeated patterns, intuition can become increasingly refined and reliable—a process he refers to as ‘educated intuition.’
Thus, intuition is a fundamental cognitive process that influences how people form opinions, assess situations, and make decisions, balancing efficiency with the potential for error.
Keywords: cognitive bias, decision-making, heuristics
Related Entries: Judgement (1), Judgement (2)
References:
Gigerenzer, G. (2007). Gut feelings: The intelligence of the unconscious. Penguin.
Hogarth, R. M. (2001). Educating intuition. University of Chicago Press.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Macmillan.
Salas, E., Rosen, M. A., & DiazGranados, D. (2010). Expertise-based intuition and decision making in organisations. Journal of Management, 36(4), 941-973. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206309350084
Wilder, R. L. (1967). The Role of intuition: Intuition plays a basic and indispensable role in mathematical research and in modern teaching methods. Science, 156(3775), 605-610. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1721412
