Abstract

Intuition plays a key role in extreme situations where rapid decision-making is critical. However, its accuracy depends on a person’s experience and how their brain processes information under stress. This article examines the scientific foundations of intuition, its relation to reflexes, mechanisms of action under stress, and practical examples in crisis contexts.

Introduction

In extreme situations, people are often forced to make decisions within fractions of a second. This applies to survival during disasters, the professional activities of rescuers, soldiers, doctors, as well as unexpected crises in everyday life.

But what lies at the core of such decisions? Is intuition an innate reflex, or a skill shaped by experience?

According to research (Kahneman, 2011), intuitive thinking is not a supernatural “sixth sense” but the result of unconscious information processing based on accumulated experience. Yet, in extreme conditions, intuition can both save lives and lead to mistakes.

What Is Intuition from a Scientific Perspective?

Intuition is a fast, automatic form of thinking that allows individuals to make decisions when time and information are limited (Gigerenzer, 2007).

Daniel Kahneman’s Two Thinking Systems (2011):

• System 1 (intuitive thinking) — fast, automatic, emotional.

• System 2 (analytical thinking) — slow, deliberate, rational.

In extreme stress, System 1 dominates, as the brain seeks to conserve energy by relying on preexisting behavior patterns.

Intuition vs. Reflexes

• Reflexes — inborn automatic responses (e.g., blinking or pulling your hand away from a hot object).

• Intuition — unconscious processing of accumulated experience that enables quick decision-making.

Example:

• Reflex: When something flies toward the face, a person instinctively closes their eyes.

• Intuition: An experienced driver senses an imminent crash ahead, even without clearly seeing it.

How Does Intuition Help in Extreme Situations?

Intuition is especially important when analytical processing takes too long and rapid decisions are critical.

Examples of Effective Intuition in Crisis Conditions

The Firefighter Who “Felt” Danger

• Scenario: During a fire, an experienced fire chief suddenly ordered his team to evacuate a building, despite no visible signs of collapse.

• Result: Seconds later, the ceiling collapsed — the team had already reached safety.

• What happened? The firefighter later realized he subconsciously noticed an unusual quietness in the fire — the flames were “dying down,” indicating structural failure was imminent.

The Driver Who Avoided a Crash

• Scenario: A regular driver noticed a slight shift in a truck ahead, even though no turn signals were used. He braked hard.

• Result: Moments later, the truck lost control and veered into oncoming traffic.

• What happened? His brain picked up on micro-signals of danger — a subtle body shift or center of gravity change — before he consciously realized something was wrong.

When Intuition Leads to Mistakes

Although intuition can be helpful, it is also subject to cognitive distortions.

Common Intuitive Thinking Errors:

• Confirmation bias — the brain only perceives information that confirms existing assumptions.

• Tunnel vision — under stress, attention narrows, and important details are overlooked.

• Overconfidence — people tend to overestimate the accuracy of their intuitive judgments.

Example of Intuition Failure: Pilot Error in Turbulence

• Scenario: A plane encountered severe turbulence. A young pilot instinctively pulled the control stick up to stabilize the aircraft.

• Result: This led to an aerodynamic stall, causing a loss of lift.

• What happened? In this case, the natural intuitive reaction was incorrect and violated the principles of aerodynamics.

How to Train Intuition for Extreme Situations

1. Develop situational awareness

Train attention to detect key details (e.g., military personnel learn to notice anomalies in people’s behavior).

2. Simulations and stress training

Repetitive scenarios help automate appropriate responses.

3. Analyze past decisions

It’s important to reflect on when intuition was accurate — and when it wasn’t.

4. Balance intuition and analysis

Develop the ability to switch to rational thinking when time allows.

Conclusion:

With proper training and awareness, intuitive thinking becomes not just faster — but smarter.

• Intuition is not a “sixth sense” but a rapid processing of experience-based data.

• In extreme situations, intuition saves time but can also lead to mistakes.

• Training, analysis, and awareness enhance intuitive decision-making.

Cognitive Flexibility: Master Adaptation Techniques

Explore the importance of cognitive flexibility in adapting during crises. Learn about cognitive traps that hinder adaptation and discover practical techniques to reduce stress, enhance analytical thinking, and find creative solutions for effective responses to change.