Thinking longer versus thinking better: Deliberation versus association

Dual-process theories often assume that increasing available time promotes more deliberative, rule-based reasoning. However, time may also increase the impact of semantic and contextual information. Across two experiments, we examined whether increased time affects reasoning through both deliberative engagement and associative activation. In Study 1 (N = 200), participants evaluated categorical syllogisms under time pressure (5 s) and with unlimited time. Additional time increased coherent normative responding but also increased responses related to alternatives generation. Study 2 (N = 200) examined Conflict and Neutral base-rate problems. Here, additional time decreased normative responding on Neutral problems consistent with increased deliberation, but also decreased normative responding on Conflict problems consistent with increased weight given to stereotypical descriptions. Participants who improved in logical coherence with time were resistant to this decrement. Across domains, increased processing time was associated with both increased deliberation and stronger associative influences.