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

Automatic thinking is characterized by being unconscious, effortless, and fast. This type of thinking occurs without active engagement or conscious effort, allowing individuals to react to situations quickly based on prior knowledge and experiences.

When assessing the characteristic described as deliberate, it does not align with the nature of automatic thinking, which is fundamentally instinctive rather than intentional. Deliberate thinking requires conscious thought, careful analysis, and often involves more time and cognitive resources to process information or solve a problem, making it distinct from the quick, unreflective nature of automatic thinking. Therefore, deliberate thinking is not a characteristic of automatic thinking.