The Role of System 1 and 2 in Shaping Our Views on Religion and LGBTQ+ Issues
In our modern world, the media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception. It can influence how we view religion, morality, politics, and social issues. However, not all topics receive equal attention, and the way we process information about these topics is often shaped by deeply ingrained biases. A fascinating way to understand how we respond to media and societal narratives is through the lens of Daniel Kahneman’s theory of System 1 and System 2 thinking.
System 1 and System 2: A Brief Overview
Kahneman’s theory divides human thinking into two systems:
System 1 is fast, automatic, and driven by intuition. It relies on heuristics — mental shortcuts that help us make quick decisions. While this is often helpful in navigating everyday life, it can also lead us to make biased or incorrect judgments.
System 2, on the other hand, is slower, more deliberate, and analytical. It requires conscious thought and effort to solve problems and make decisions, and it’s where critical thinking and reflection come into play.
Now, let’s apply this framework to two seemingly unrelated but deeply impactful topics: religion and LGBTQ+ issues. Through this lens, we can see how System 1 and System 2 interact with the way people process information and form opinions on these subjects.
Religion: The Power of System 1
For many people, religion operates primarily within the domain of System 1. Religious beliefs are often passed down through generations and become deeply ingrained in a person’s identity and worldview. These beliefs tend to be guided by faith, tradition, and a sense of belonging to a community rather than by logic or evidence. This means that when people encounter information that contradicts their religious beliefs, System 1 kicks in to protect those beliefs — often without the individual even realizing it.
Take, for example, the many reports of sexual abuse within religious institutions. When such scandals emerge, the media covers them extensively, shining a light on the actions of priests, pastors, and other religious leaders. However, for those deeply invested in their faith, System 1 often overrides any impulse to critically engage with the information. Instead, they may dismiss the reports, rationalize the behavior, or even deny that it reflects the true values of their religion. This is because challenging these beliefs could cause cognitive dissonance, a psychological discomfort that arises when someone’s worldview is shaken.
In this way, religion has the power to turn off System 2 thinking, which would require a person to critically analyze the facts. Instead, System 1 dominates, guiding individuals to protect their deeply held convictions, even in the face of scandal or wrongdoing.
LGBTQ+ Issues: Biases Beyond Media Influence
The situation with LGBTQ+ issues is a bit different. While the media may not extensively cover criminal behavior involving LGBTQ+ individuals, the prejudice and biases people hold against this group are often more deeply ingrained in cultural and societal norms. System 1 plays a key role here as well, but it’s working with biases that have been formed over time through cultural conditioning, religious teachings, and societal stereotypes.
Many people’s negative views of LGBTQ+ individuals don’t depend on media coverage. Instead, they are rooted in assumptions and prejudices that have been taught and reinforced by their social environment. Even if there were no media reports linking LGBTQ+ people to any criminal behavior, these deeply held biases remain. System 1 makes quick, often automatic judgments based on stereotypes, reinforcing the idea that LGBTQ+ individuals are "other" or inherently threatening to social norms.
Unlike religion, where System 1 may actively work to protect beliefs, the bias against LGBTQ+ individuals often persists regardless of media influence. Even when no new negative information about LGBTQ+ people is presented, prejudices against them can remain entrenched. This bias is often so deeply embedded in society that System 2 — the more analytical, reflective part of our thinking — rarely gets a chance to engage.
Media’s Role: Amplifying or Dismissing Bias?
The media can play a critical role in reinforcing these biases. When it comes to religion, the media often highlights scandals that involve religious figures, but many devout individuals may choose to ignore or rationalize this information in line with their beliefs. The reporting on LGBTQ+ issues, on the other hand, tends to be more polarized. Negative portrayals of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in the context of debates about marriage or bathroom access, are often amplified, while the actual lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people — their struggles, victories, and humanity — may be downplayed.
In both cases, System 1 drives people’s reactions. For religious individuals, media reports that challenge their faith might be dismissed as exceptions or distorted truths. For those with anti-LGBTQ+ biases, media reports that might humanize LGBTQ+ individuals are often ignored or viewed with skepticism. The key difference lies in the sources of the bias: in the case of religion, System 1 works to protect a belief system, while in the case of LGBTQ+ issues, the bias often stems from societal prejudices that have been embedded over time.
Conclusion: Overcoming Bias with System 2
Ultimately, both religion and LGBTQ+ issues demonstrate how System 1 can overpower System 2 thinking, leading to biased and often unfounded opinions. To overcome these biases, we need to engage System 2 more effectively. This requires critical thinking, an openness to new information, and a willingness to challenge ingrained beliefs and stereotypes.
Whether it’s recognizing the flaws within religious institutions or confronting the prejudices against LGBTQ+ individuals, we must make a conscious effort to slow down and engage in more thoughtful, analytical thinking. The media may shape our initial reactions, but it’s up to us to choose whether we allow System 1 to guide us or whether we engage System 2 to form more informed, rational opinions.
By understanding how System 1 and System 2 work in our everyday thinking, we can better navigate the complexities of media influence and societal bias — moving towards a more empathetic, thoughtful, and just world for all.
Independent Researcher and writer at Amazon.
Know more: https://linktr.ee/jorgeguerrapiresphd
About Jorge Guerra Pires
Jorge Guerra Pires has been writing and teaching biological systems modeling for beginners since his Ph.D. During his doctoral studies, he launched local courses at the University of L’Aquila, where he completed both his master's and Ph.D. Since then, he has maintained a YouTube channel, blogs, and other forms of knowledge dissemination and discussion, with a strong online focus.
Jorge Guerra Pires is passionate about biology, mathematics, programming, and anything that challenges his intellect. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of L’Aquila/Italy, recognized in Brazil by the University of São Paulo (USP) in bioinformatics. He has completed two post-doctorates, one at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) and the other at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). Additionally, he earned a dual master's degree from the University of L’Aquila and the Technical University of Gdansk/Poland. His undergraduate degree is in Production Engineering from the Federal University of Ouro Preto.
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