Maximizing versus satisficing: happiness is a matter of choice

Used in 3 entries

For each citing entry, the verbatim excerpt and Likelier's calculation notes (how the source's number was converted to the lifetime-probability framing) are shown below. Click through to read the full claim ledger.

1. [1] Overthinking decisions Decision · action side

   Statistic

   Across seven samples (n ~ 1,747), maximizing correlated r = .47 with regret on a 7-point continuous scale; satisficers scored well below the scale midpoint on regret

   “"Seven samples revealed negative correlations between maximization and happiness, optimism, self-esteem, and life satisfaction, and positive correlations between maximization and depression, perfectionism, and regret."”

   Calculation notes

   Schwartz et al. (2002) reported continuous Regret Scale means and the r = .47 correlation with maximizing, NOT binary prevalence rates. The ~20% figure is our rough estimate of the proportion of bottom-tertile scorers (satisficers) who exceeded the 7-point scale midpoint, assuming approximate normality (mean ~3.18, SD ~0.79 for the full sample). This is a derived proxy, not a direct survey finding. The r = .47 correlation is the primary finding; the percentages are secondary approximations.
   

   Source date: 2002-12-01 · Accessed: 2026-04-26

2. [2] Overthinking decisions Decision · inaction side

   Statistic

   Maximizers scored significantly higher on the 7-point Regret Scale (r = .47 with maximizing, p < .001); the correlation is one of the strongest individual-difference predictors of regret

   “"Maximizers reported significantly more regret than satisficers. The maximizing tendency was positively correlated with regret (r = .47) and negatively correlated with happiness, optimism, self-esteem, and life satisfaction."”

   Calculation notes

   Same dataset as action side. The ~52% figure is our rough estimate of the proportion of top-tertile scorers (maximizers) who exceeded the 7-point Regret Scale midpoint. This is a derived proxy, not a direct survey percentage. The primary finding is the r = .47 correlation — one of the largest individual-difference predictors of regret in the psychological literature. The conversion to binary rates introduces substantial uncertainty.
   

   Source date: 2002-12-01 · Accessed: 2026-04-26

3. [3] Procrastination Decision · action side

   Statistic

   Satisficers scored well below the regret scale midpoint; maximizing correlated r = .47 with regret on a 7-point continuous scale

   “"Seven samples revealed negative correlations between maximization and happiness, optimism, self-esteem, and life satisfaction, and positive correlations between maximization and depression, perfectionism, and regret."”

   Calculation notes

   Schwartz et al. (2002), seven samples (n ~ 1,747). Satisficers (bottom tertile on maximization scale) scored well below the midpoint on the 7-point Regret Scale. The ~20% is our estimate of the proportion exceeding the scale midpoint, assuming approximate normality. A derived proxy, not a direct finding.
   

   Source date: 2002-12-01 · Accessed: 2026-04-26