Abstract

Previous research on decision reversibility has found that, although people believe they prefer reversible decisions, irreversible decisions yield the most satisfaction. Two studies investigated whether these findings are moderated by individuals’ tendencies toward maximizing (decision making via extensive search for the best option) versus satisficing (decision making via less exhaustive search and less optimizing). Study 1 found that satisficers were more satisfied following an irreversible decision about a poster choice, whereas maximizers were more satisfied following a reversible decision. When a different group of participants in Study 2 were asked whether they would prefer the reversible or irreversible versions of Study 1, satisficers disproportionately chose the irreversible version, and maximizers disproportionately chose the reversible version; however, some extreme maximizers preferred the irreversible version as a means of preventing needless worry or second guessing. The results demonstrate that individual differences are likely to moderate even robust patterns of decision making and affective forecasting.

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