Front cover image for The paradox of choice : why more is less

The paradox of choice : why more is less

Whether buying a pair of jeans or applying to college, everyday decisions, big and small, have become increasingly complex due to the abundance of choice with which we are presented. As Americans, we assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction--but choice overload can make you question your decisions before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for failures. This can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and stress. In this book, social scientist Schwartz explains at what point choice--the hallmark of individual freedom that we so cherish--becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. He offers practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, focus on those that are important and ignore the rest, and derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.--From publisher description
Print Book, English, 2004
Ecco, New York, 2004
Nonfiction
xi, 265 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm
9780060005689, 9780060005696, 9780965804820, 9780062449924, 0060005688, 0060005696, 0965804828, 0062449923
52301582
Prologue. The Paradox of Choice: A Road Map1(8)
PART I WHEN WE CHOOSE
Chapter 1. Let's Go Shopping
9(14)
Chapter 2. New Choices
23(24)
PART II HOW WE CHOOSE
Chapter 3. Deciding and Choosing
47(30)
Chapter 4. When Only the Best Will Do
77(22)
PART III WHY WE SUFFER
Chapter 5. Choice and Happiness
99(18)
Chapter 6. Missed Opportunities
117(30)
Chapter 7. "If Only...": The Problem of Regret
147(20)
Chapter 8. Why Decisions Disappoint: The Problem of Adaptation
167(14)
Chapter 9. Why Everything Suffers from Comparison
181(20)
Chapter 10. Whose Fault Is It? Choice, Disappointment, and Depression
201(20)
PART IV WHAT WE CAN DO
Chapter 11. What to Do About Choice
221(16)
Notes237(20)
Index257