The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less Barry Schwartz Ohio Board of Regents November, 2012
The “Official Syllogism” More freedom means more well being More choice means more freedom More choice means more well being
285 Varieties of cookies 75 Iced teas 40 Toothpastes 230 Soups 175 Salad dressings 275 Cereals
Phone Service and Gear
College Courses
Is this good news or bad news? YES!
What Too Much Choice Does: Paralysis (Iyengar) Buying jam 401(k) investing Extra-credit essays
What Too Much Choice Does: Decision and Performance Quality 401 (k) Medicare Part D Extra-credit essays Drawing by four-year-olds
Choice and Self-Control
What Too Much Choice Does: Satisfaction
1. Regret and anticipated regret What Too Much Choice Does: Satisfaction
1. Regret and anticipated regret 2. Missed opportunities
Missed Opportunities and College Students
“Everything Suffers from Comparison” (Brenner, Rottenstreich, & Sood, Psych Science, 1999)
What Too Much Choice Does: Satisfaction 1. Regret and anticipated regret 2. Missed opportunities 3. Escalation of expectations
How Can Choice Be Good and Bad?
Finding the “Sweet Spot” (Shah & Wolford)
“Libertarian Paternalism” (Sunstein & Thaler, U. of Chicago Law Review, 2003; Thaler & Sunstein, Nudge, 2009) Organ donation
The Power of Defaults (Johnson & Goldstein, Science, 2003)
What Can Be Done Limited options Pay attention to defaults and “choice architecture” Careful monitoring and feedback Lots of guidance when there is choice Careful advising
Choice, Happiness, and Academic Performance