Weighing the Options
Making decisions when shopping is often a tough call. Even if you’re satisfied with the first dress you try on, would you go on looking for alternatives, comparing styles and prices, until literally dropped dead?
Psychology researchers have studied how people make decision
s and concluded there are two basic styles. “Maximizers” like to take their time and weigh a wide range of options—sometimes every possible one—before choosing. “Satisficers” would rather be fast than thorough.
16. __________ So even if they see what would seem to meet their requirements, they can’t make a decision until after they’ve examined every option to make sure that they’re making the best possible choice. Researchers followed 548 job-seeking college seniors at 11 schools from October through their graduation in June. They found that the maximizers landed better jobs. 17. _________.
“The maximizer is kicking himself because he can’t examine every option and at some point had to just pick something,” they say. “Maximizers make good decisions and end up feeling bad about them. 18. _________
Satisficers also have high standards, but they are happier than maximizers. Maximizers tend to be more depressed and to report a lower satisfaction with life, their research found.
Faced with so many choices in our lives, we need to learn how not to waste time and energy on our decision-making.
19. ________ For instance, if you’re picking a restaurant for a lunch meeting, first deciding on a certain part of town or type of cuisine can narrow your options.
Once you’ve arrived at a decision, stick with it. 20. __________ To limit the number of options you can set a time limit for decision-making. Say you are buying a new bag, you could spend an amount of time study
ing features, price and value—but if you give yourself only five minutes to make a decision, and there are only these bags you can consider, you’ll save time. You’ll be happier with your decision, too.
A. The other is to make decisions more accurately at the beginning.
B. Satisficers make good decisions and end up feeling good.
C. First of all, decrease your range of options.
D. Comparing is often a must when you make a decision.
E. Maximizers are people who want the best.
F. Just accept that no decision is ever completely perfect.
G. Their starting salaries were 20 percent higher but they felt worse about their jobs.