cognition

You fail because you trust your first instinct.

The Cognitive Reflection Test shows that people often fail simple logic puzzles by relying on intuitive, incorrect answers.

When a problem feels easy, the brain avoids the effort of analytical thinking. The intuitive answer feels correct because it comes to mind instantly. You have to actively override your first thought to see the hidden trap.

Your gut feeling is frequently a shortcut to error.

Where this comes from

Study: Frederick, 2005, Journal of Economic Perspectives
What the check found: The claim accurately reflects the foundational study by Shane Frederick in the 2005 Journal of Economic Perspectives, which defines the CRT's mechanism.
Confidence: Well replicated

cognition reasoningintuition

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One of these every day, and every one names the study it came from. When a finding is contested, it says so.

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You fail because you trust your first instinct.

Where this comes from

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