Primitive Automaticity

In many situations, we make decisions based on a single piece of information. This is a form of mental shortcut that allows us to make decisions quickly and efficiently. This is what is known as "primitive automaticity."

This is a necessary adaptation to the modern world. We are constantly bombarded with information, and we do not have the time or the mental capacity to process all of it. Therefore, we must rely on mental shortcuts to help us make decisions.

However, this can also be dangerous. When we rely on a single piece of information, we are more likely to make a mistake. This is because a single piece of information is often not enough to make an informed decision.

The weapons of influence described in this book are all examples of primitive automaticity. They are all based on a single piece of information that we use to make decisions. For example, the scarcity principle is based on the single piece of information that something is scarce. The authority principle is based on the single piece of information that someone is an authority figure.

The key to defending ourselves against these weapons of influence is to be aware of them. When we are aware of them, we can take a step back and think about whether we are making a decision based on a single piece of information or whether we are taking the time to make an informed decision.