Dual-process theories and consciousness: the case for 'Type Zero' cognition

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• The role of consciousness in information processing remains debated.
• Some research suggests consciousness interferes with optimal non-conscious computations.
• Other findings indicate conscious (System 2) processing supports norm-compliant computation, unlike heuristic-based System 1 processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the effect of consciousness on information processing.
• To reconcile conflicting experimental results regarding consciousness's impact on accuracy.
• To introduce a new category of cognition, 'type 0 cognition'.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical reconciliation of existing experimental findings.
• Distinguishing between conscious/non-conscious representations and automatic/deliberate processes.
• Analysis of information processing in different cognitive systems.

Main Results:

• Conflicting results on consciousness's effect are resolved by separating representation type and process type.
• Conscious processing can interfere with optimally non-conscious computations.
• Conscious (System 2) processing is associated with norm-compliant computation, while unconscious (System 1) processing uses heuristics.

Conclusions:

• A clear distinction between conscious/non-conscious representations and automatic/deliberate processes is crucial.
• This framework resolves the puzzle of whether consciousness helps or hinders accurate information processing.
• Introduces 'type 0 cognition' as automatic processes on non-conscious representations.