Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of habitual thinking?

Habitual thinking is characterized by patterns of thought that develop through repetition and are often automatic. It typically relies on learned routines and operates with low levels of conscious thought, allowing individuals to perform familiar tasks with minimal deliberate effort. This type of thinking can indeed enhance efficiency, as it frees up cognitive resources for other activities by utilizing established mental pathways.

On the other hand, requiring deep cognitive engagement is not a characteristic of habitual thinking. Deep cognitive engagement generally involves actively analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information—a process that demands significant mental effort and conscious thought. In contrast, habitual thinking functions more on an automatic level, sparing cognitive resources for tasks that necessitate higher-order thinking.