Two systems that predict smoking frequency independently.

What is it about?

In this study, a new way to measure System 1 (thought-lite, fast) smoking frequency was developed. In contrast, System 2 measures are slow and deliberative. It was found that this new System 1 measure revealed that traditional self-reported (System 2) smoking frequency significantly underestimated smoking frequency. In addition, predicting smoking frequency within the same System (e.g., System 1 variable predicting System 1 outcome) was stronger than cross-system prediction (e.g., System 1 variable predicting System 2 outcome).

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Why is it important?

The weaker cross-system prediction suggests that interventions to change smoking behaviours would be easier if done within the same system. For instance, changing System 1 smoking attitudes to change System 1 smoking behaviour. Whereas, cross-system interventions will be less impactful. For example, changing System 2 (e.g., self-reported) smoking attitudes to change System 1 (habitual) smoking behaviours.