Decisions, Decisions

Continuing the happiness topic begun in the last post, I came across some interesting insights by Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of Choice. Schwartz feels that in rich nations such as the United States, too much choice can adversely affect our happiness. Just think about it. It used to be that the people drank Pepsi or Coca-Cola, but now entire sections of the grocery store are devoted to soft drinks. So many decisions! When I was a child, we basically ate corn flakes, cheerios, or rice krispies, but now I feel like I need an advanced degree to help me figure out the best cereal in terms of fat, fiber, and sugar.

Schwartz tells of a study in which college students were asked to rate chocolate candy. One group had six choices to taste and rate while the second group had thirty. Surprisingly, the first group rated their tasty sweet treats higher than the second group. Could it be that having too many choices decreases our satisfaction and our happiness? In his words, “After millions of years of survival based on simple distinctions, it may simply be that we are biologically unprepared for the number of choices we face in the modern world.”

What’s your opinion? Do you think one secret to happiness may lie in limiting our choices instead of increasing them?  In my estimation cheerios are just as tasty and healthy as many of the more recently developed brands, and I’d probably be just as happy sticking to them instead of always looking for something better.

What about you? Are you happier with such a glittering array of choices, or do you think you’d be more contented with fewer options?