The Perils of Pondering: Intuition and Thin Slice Judgments

Abstract

Intuitive processing is critical for effective social and interpersonal interactions. Previous work has found that people are able to form accurate impressions that predict certain ecologically valid outcomes from brief observations or “thin slices” of behavior. This article discusses theoretical and empirical work showing that thin slice judgments are intuitive and efficient. Thin slice judgments can be made accurately even under conditions of distraction. Moreover, such judgments are impeded by tasks that interfere with the intuitive process. Thin slice judgments are impeded by tasks involving deliberation such as reasons analyses tasks. Thus, impressionistic, evaluative thin slice judgments seem to be intuitive.