Lesson 2 The Power of Good Habits
Wake Up Your Lazy Brain!
Hello, everyone! Welcome to ____ Report. I’m your host, Alvin Stuart.
We all know ____ important it is for us to exercise our bodies.
But what ____ our brains?
Did you know that it’s important to work out your mind, ____
Dr. Caitlin Yoon, a professor of neuroscience at Central University, is here ____ us today to talk about how we can become better thinkers.
Thank you ____ joining us, Dr. Yoon!
Doctor, what is the secret ____ becoming a better thinker?
Well, I want to begin ____ asking the audience a question.
Suppose ____ go into a store to purchase a notebook and a pen.
The total ____ is $1.10, and the notebook costs $1 more than the pen.
What is the price of the ____
Raise your hand if ____ was the first thing that came to mind.
Host: That’s what popped into my head.
____ correct answer is “$0.05.” Now, think again. Do you see the error in your calculation?
If the price of the pen ____ $0.10, then the notebook would cost $1.10.
____ would make the total price $1.20.
It ____ like an easy question now.
If ____ pause, take your time, and carefully think about it, you will realize your mistake.
This simple question reveals the fundamental way that ____ brains work.
They actually have two different systems that they ____ utilize: System 1 and System 2.
System 1 is based on instinct, and it works without our ____ control.
Our brains ____ apply this system in countless everyday situations, such as when we hear simple sentences, see large words on advertisements, or encounter easy questions like “2+2=?”.
This system works very quickly, because it needs to continuously ____ enormous amounts of information coming in through our senses.
If you initially came up with the answer “$0.10” ____ the question I asked earlier, that was the automatic response of System 1.
Host: That is fascinating!
So if System 1 produces these rapid, automatic responses to situations we regularly encounter in daily life, ____ is the role of System 2?
System 2 is responsible ____ our reasoning and deeper decision-making processes.
Our brains use this system when we ____ the prices and features of products, check the validity of an argument, or encounter difficult questions like “238×79×451=?”.
It controls conscious ____ activities when we need to focus or make careful choices.
However, while ____ 2 is more reliable, its application requires time and effort.
If you got the right answer to the notebook and pen question after taking a few seconds to reflect, then ____ brain used System 2 to check System 1’s initial response.
However, our brains tend to rely heavily on taking ____ shortcuts with System 1.
That ____ why it’s common for people to answer the question incorrectly at first.
So, Doctor, why do we ____ on these mental shortcuts when System 1 is not as dependable as System 2?
Well, we make about 35,000 decisions every day without realizing it, and ____ is impossible to make every one of these consciously.
So it’s quite reasonable and effective for the brain to be a bit lazy ____
Having a lazy brain ____ us to save energy for critical tasks that require our focus and attention.
____ it is dangerous when this becomes a habit.
If your brain becomes too reliant on System 1, it will not be able to apply System 2 when you confront a ____ that requires intense concentration.
System 2 is essential for exercising human intelligence, ____ the less you use it, the more likely you are to become a lazy thinker.
Those who have an overly lazy brain frequently make ____ and bad decisions.
They ____ also develop a habit of accepting things to be true even though they have never been proven.
Therefore, ____ can be harmful to develop lazy brain habits.
Host: So how can we resist these lazy brain habits?
We can make a deliberate effort to practice thinking deeply with System 2 ____ often.
Here are some tips: First, reconsider your initial thoughts instead of accepting them ____ away.
Keep generating more ideas and carefully compare the available ____ before making a decision.
Ask ____ if the information you have gathered supports your original conclusion. If not, then think again.
Next, ____ use of your natural curiosity.
Curiosity can ____ us to investigate unfamiliar topics and ideas.
It encourages us to dive deeper into a subject ____ explore it from multiple angles.
Therefore, it can serve ____ a foundation for building deeper thinking habits.
Finally, ____ something new in order to stimulate your brain and become more intelligent.
Learning a language or a musical instrument might not be easy, but these new activities will create new paths that allow information to ____ through your brain more efficiently.
That sounds like excellent advice, ____ Do you have any final words for our audience?
Yes. We ____ creatures of habit, so it is vitally important that we develop well-balanced thinking habits.
We should remain alert so that we do ____ fall into the trap of making careless decisions.
We should ____ time into learning how to think deeply in order to use both System 1 and System 2 harmoniously.
That way, instead of developing a habit ____ relying too much on a lazy brain, you can exercise your intelligence and reinforce your mental capabilities.
Okay, Dr. Yoon. ____ for the great advice! Please give her a big hand!