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