ABSTRACT

We discuss intuition’s role in decision making in crisis situations. Intuition can be analyzed in the context of System 1 (quick and automatic) and System 2 (controlled and analytical) behaviors. Two determining factors that can be used to assess intuition’s role in decision making in a crisis are the domain in which the decision occurs and the task attributes that define what the decision is about. Intuition’s role in decision making in crisis environments depends on the decision maker’s experience in the domain, and the time constraints surrounding the decision, and on the decision maker’s task experience and expertise. Drawing on domain and task experiences and expertise, intuition involves recognizing patterns and given this recognition, taking appropriate actions within the time frame presented. Intuition can be developed and effectively utilizing intuition depends on developing domain and task attributes through actual experiences, exercises, gaming and simulation methods.