Maximizers, Satisficers, and Their Satisfaction With and Preferences for Reversible Versus Irreversible Decisions

What is it about?

Previous research has shown that, although people think that they will be more satisfied with decisions they can later reverse, they are actually more satisfied when their decisions are final. This study tested whether this pattern applies to people high on the trait of maximizing, which involves trying to make optimal choices across all decision making contexts and therefore finding it difficult to make decisions. In Study 1, maximizers were more satisfied with a decision when it was final than when it was reversible, whereas satisficers (those low on the maximizing trait) followed the previously-shown pattern of being more satisfied with final decisions. In Study 2, a different group of people was told about the procedure for Study 1 and were asked whether they would have preferred a final or reversible decision. Maximizers on average preferred a reversible decision, and satisficers preferred a final decision. Interestingly, though, a small number of people very high on maximizing tendencies said that they would prefer a final decision because such decisions help them minimize the stress and difficulty that they typically face in making decisions.

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Why is it important?

These studies help to show that people with different decision making tendencies are more satisfied with different kinds of decisions. These findings help to show that patterns found for decision making in general may not apply to maximizers.