Why More Choices Don't Make You Happy

We're surrounded by choices in life, but psychologists have found that having those choices doesn't necessarily make us happy.

Hosted by: Brit Garner
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[firefoxwaffles]

This happens a lot at the cat shelter I work at, funny enough. We have a few cats who are social and cannot be adopted out alone, but don't have any real preference. We found out clients just get analysis paralysis and end up losing interest. So we have started providing a list of "recommended buddies" and that's helped a lot!

[DemonXeron]

Bit of a lifehack: Pick 6 choices you will be satisfied with, then pick out of those options your two favorites then pick one of those two OR flip a coin. If you are dissatisfied with the coin toss, pick the other one. This strategy lets me overcome choice overload and may well help you too.

Picking multiple things? You can repeat this algorithm. I haven't quite figured out what to do when I have to pick say 6 out of 30 yet, so I just pick 6 I'm satisfied with and try not to think about it too much.

The truth is the only time you really need to think about choice is if it really matters. Picking cereal at a supermarket doesn't matter, picking clothes matters more and picking household appliances matters even more. Think about the value you put in that item and give yourself an appropriate amount of time to think.

[Starfals]

Reminds me of how i look at my steam library of games (like 1000) and i never know what to play and pick. I literally stay there and look at icons for like 15 m :P

[Jimera]

My strategy for dealing with this is to focus on making a "good" choice not the "best" choice. Pick something you like and just run with it. Don't spend time stressing over which is best. The longer you think about it the higher your expectations and the more you'll have to regret, so just making a quick decision is better. Of course this only works when it's not super important you get the best thing, but that's like, 99% of the choices you make anyway.

[kindlin]

I love just flipping a coin. The odd thing about having your decision made by an impartial, outside factor (like a coin flip) is that no matter what, you'll either be excited or disappointed, and from that you know what choice you really wanted all along.

It's kind of like when you ask for help with something and immediately know the answer. It wasn't until you put yourself out there that the solution presented itself. Man, the mind is a weird place sometimes.

[MPflugga]

The bit at 2:07 was just hilarious, props to whoever animated that.

[fromscratchauntybindy]

I find choice overload when choosing a course of study!

[tterhead]

So I guess this must be what I'm feeling when I finish a game or tv show and look to my steam library or streaming choices to decide on what to play/watch next

[asimpleman]

This is perfect. Been to the snack food aisle in a large supermarket lately? Drives me insane. Cheez-It crackers is one of the worst.

Anyone remember a time where they had the Original Cheez-It, and maybe an additional flavor or two? Now you get to choose from:
White Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Cheddar Jack, Four Cheese, Cheese Pizza, Hot & Spicy, Queso Fundido, Buffalo Wing.
Extra Toasty. Extra Cheesy. Extra Big. Whole Wheat. Reduced Fat. Cheez-It Snap'd (three flavors). Cheez-It Grooves (four flavors). Cheez-It Duos (five flavors). Snack Mix (three flavors). Snack Packs. Family Size. Limited

It's no wonder why supermarkets are getting to be the size of football stadiums 😩

[ThousandTimesBefore]

My anxiety got a lot better when I started to eliminate choices. Like going vegan leaves 1-2 meals on the menu in any given restaurant. Throwing out my clutter leaves me with three pens to chose from instead of 50. My low-wage job didn't leave many options for apartments. Giving up flying means having less of the world to chose from for vacations.
I know it sound boring and overly limiting to some people, but it has been very liberating for me :)

[dyxlexorcist]

It applies to almost everything. Like, choosing a potential mate. 😅

[NewMessage]

This was the only SciShow Psych video I had to choose from today, but I'm happy with that.

[rwhe]

"What do you wanna do for dinner?"

So. Much. Satisfaction.

[lakrids-pibe]

Chidi brought me here.
(He's still outside deciding on a yogurt ice cream)

[serpentarius]

Lots of choices is literally my worst enemy. I have ADHD and one of the common issues with that is an inability to make quick decisions and choices. I am 100% that person who looks up the menu of a restaurant before I visit so I can decide with plenty of time, or even pop into the cafeteria at my uni when I wont be eating until after my next class, just so I have time to plan.


Having lots of things to choose from is nice sometimes. I'm a picky eater (though I wish I wasn't, I blame so many foods having terrible texture) and more choice means a higher chance of something I'll enjoy. But more choice also means... having to actually make a decision.

[FormerCephalopod]

I wonder how this problem with choice applies to choices on a larger scale than cereal and ice cream - choosing an area of study or a field in which to focus a job search, for example. What could one do to mitigate the factors that lead to dissatisfaction?

[kittybeans]

My trick at the cereal aisle: Just pick one I like and go. The time spent thinking about it all is itself a product and I generally like that more than the amount I like the BEST cereal more than I like the almost best cereal.

[PamdaDev]

Reading Material: The Paradox of Choice
by Barry Schwartz

[tammystockley-loughlin]

I work in a grocery store and I see this on a daily basis. Folks are just overwhelmed, most seem to stick same thing that they usually get. I have heard people talk it out, quite funny sometimes it becomes a "quote of the day ". Also it's a college town, so that it can involve a phone conversation with a parent or other advisor.
Positive vibes from New Hampshire and remember to be kind to each other

[rustumlaattoe]

This, in my opinion, is why giving a baby or toddler too much candy might make them cry, but giving them just a few makes them happy. Choice overload is overwhelming for the less emotionally developed.