What happens when your brain goes on auto pilot?

Question

I drive a lot, and sometimes I just “scare” back into reality and I realize I wasn’t even paying attention the last few seconds, and it feels weird. Why and how does this happen?

In: 2885

Answer 1

There is a concept in behavioural science according to which we function with a system 1, which involves unconscious or automatic things, and a system 2, which requires our active attention.

For example when you take a walk to clear your thoughts, system 1 handles the walking part, which frees resources for system 2 to process your thoughts. Let’s say you were to trip on a rock, your body would hold your thoughts and bring the walking part to your system 2 so you can make an attempt to avoid falling.

One could say that when you learn something by practice, like some of the tasks that are involved in driving a car, you are gradually transferring them from system 1 to system 2.

Answer 2

There is a concept in behavioural science according to which we function with a system 1, which involves unconscious or automatic things, and a system 2, which requires our active attention.

For example when you take a walk to clear your thoughts, system 1 handles the walking part, which frees resources for system 2 to process your thoughts. Let’s say you were to trip on a rock, your body would hold your thoughts and bring the walking part to your system 2 so you can make an attempt to avoid falling.

One could say that when you learn something by practice, like some of the tasks that are involved in driving a car, you are gradually transferring them from system 1 to system 2.