Maximizing versus satisficing: happiness is a matter of choice.

@article{citeulike:1431304, abstract = {Can people feel worse off as the options they face increase? The present studies suggest that some people--maximizers--can. Study 1 reported a Maximization Scale, which measures individual differences in desire to maximize. Seven samples revealed negative correlations between maximization and happiness, optimism, self-esteem, and life satisfaction, and positive correlations between maximization and depression, perfectionism, and regret. Study 2 found maximizers less satisfied than nonmaximizers (satisficers) with consumer decisions, and more likely to engage in social comparison. Study 3 found maximizers more adversely affected by upward social comparison. Study 4 found maximizers more sensitive to regret and less satisfied in an ultimatum bargaining game. The interaction between maximizing and choice is discussed in terms of regret, adaptation, and self-blame.}, address = {Department of Psychology, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania 19081, USA. bschwar1@swarthmore.edu}, author = {Schwartz, B. and Ward, A. and Monterosso, J. and Lyubomirsky, S. and White, K. and Lehman, D. R. }, citeulike-article-id = {1431304}, issn = {0022-3514}, journal = {J Pers Soc Psychol}, keywords = {choicebehavior, human, neuroeconomics, paradox\_of\_choice, satisficing}, month = {November}, number = {5}, pages = {1178--1197}, posted-at = {2007-07-03 17:29:26}, priority = {2}, title = {Maximizing versus satisficing: happiness is a matter of choice.}, url = {http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12416921}, volume = {83}, year = {2002} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:1431304 L3 - citeulike-article-id:1431304 TI - Maximizing versus satisficing: happiness is a matter of choice. JF - J Pers Soc Psychol VL - 83 IS - 5 SP - 1178 EP - 1197 AD - Department of Psychology, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania 19081, USA. bschwar1@swarthmore.edu SN - 0022-3514 N2 - Can people feel worse off as the options they face increase? The present studies suggest that some people--maximizers--can. Study 1 reported a Maximization Scale, which measures individual differences in desire to maximize. Seven samples revealed negative correlations between maximization and happiness, optimism, self-esteem, and life satisfaction, and positive correlations between maximization and depression, perfectionism, and regret. Study 2 found maximizers less satisfied than nonmaximizers (satisficers) with consumer decisions, and more likely to engage in social comparison. Study 3 found maximizers more adversely affected by upward social comparison. Study 4 found maximizers more sensitive to regret and less satisfied in an ultimatum bargaining game. The interaction between maximizing and choice is discussed in terms of regret, adaptation, and self-blame. KW - choicebehavior KW - human KW - neuroeconomics KW - paradox_of_choice KW - satisficing AU - Schwartz, B AU - Ward, A AU - Monterosso, J AU - Lyubomirsky, S AU - White, K AU - Lehman, DR PY - 2002/11// UR - http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12416921 ER -