Daniel Kahneman, author of the celebrated, award winning book ‘Thinking Fast and Slow’, brings to light a path breaking theory, which is a dichotomous take on the two modes of thought. System 1- which is fast and instinctive and System 2- which is slower and deliberative and more logical.
How is this relevant to your IELTS speaking exercise?
Let’s understand.
There is an underlying psychological aspect of the IELTS speaking exercise, which we might not be cognizant of when we approach this test clinically and with the approach that it’s not a judgement of your personality, and is merely an assessment of the spoken word. As Kahneman’s theory substantiates, while the examiner is NOT supposed to judge your speaking task basis your personality or demeanour, the system 1 (fast and instinctive) aspect of our thought process does influence our System 2 ( deliberative and logical) aspect of our mind.
What does that really mean?
It typically means, that if you are maintaining a pleasant demeanour, being polite through the conversation, maintaining eye contact, using your ‘please’ and ‘thank you-s’, it will only go to create a positive impact in the judgement process of the examiner.
It is important to acknowledge that while there are set criteria for the process of evaluation, there is also a predominant aspect of psychology which one cannot deny as these are human interactions and are unlikely to be completely clinical.
If you are treading on a borderline between one grade to the other, the appropriate use of pleasantries and a favourable persona can go a distance to turn the decision to your advantage and not the other way round.
