Classical economics imagines a rational chooser who evaluates outcomes by their final states. But human judgment does not work that way.
Value is experienced as change, not as level. Gains and losses are judged relative to a reference point: what you expected, what you have, what you think you deserve.
This is why equal amounts can feel different depending on context. The same objective outcome can feel like relief, disappointment, or insult.
The fast system reacts to changes with emotion. The slow system can compute totals, but the emotional evaluation often dominates preference.
Once you see reference points, many “irrational” choices become predictable. People are not indifferent to money; they are sensitive to movement, fairness, and the sting of loss.