Keith Stanovich

Stanovich coined the term dysrationalia to describe the tendency of people to think or act irrationally despite having adequate intelligence. He noted that high cognitive capacity (high IQ) does not necessarily prevent a person from making poor, biased decisions. This concept highlights the difference between intelligence (processing power) and rationality (good thinking).

*The Rationality Quotient*, co-authored by Stanovich, Maggie Toplak, and Richard West, argues that rationality should be measured separately from traditional IQ. The book explains the components of rational thought and proposes frameworks for assessing how well people make decisions. It builds on Stanovich's decades of research showing that intelligence tests fail to capture rational thinking.

Stanovich expanded on dual-process theory by dividing "System 1" (the fast, automatic mind) and "System 2" (the slow, analytical mind) into further specific components. He introduced the concept of the "reflective mind," which dictates whether a person will override their intuitive System 1 responses with effortful System 2 logic. This structure explains why smart people sometimes fall for cognitive biases.

Early in his career, Stanovich made major contributions to reading development, particularly with his research on the "Matthew effect" in reading. This effect describes how early good readers get richer by reading more and improving their vocabulary, while poor readers fall further behind. His work emphasized the critical importance of phonological awareness in early education.