Back to the future: how future choices impact current satisfaction

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Samuel Ashby Turner (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
John J. Seta

Abstract: Experiment 1 tested whether the number of solutions to a proposed policy that did or did not have a direct impact on participants would influence their current satisfaction. Diverse relative to limited future choices enhanced current satisfaction when they had relevance for participants; there was, however, only a tendency for the number of future choices to influence current satisfaction when the choices did not have relevance for participants. Experiment 2 further explored the influence of choice on satisfaction, tested potential underlying processes, and the influence of individual differences. Results showed that (1) people did not show a preference for diverse over limited relevant choices when the policy had a direct effect on them (relevant condition); (2) when the policy did not have a direct effect (nonrelevant condition), people did not show a preference for diverse over limited options; and (3) participants simulated a future alternative world when considering future choices.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2010
Keywords
Choice, Consumer choice, Contrast and assimilation, Future, Mental imagery, Satisfaction
Subjects
Decision making.
Choice (Psychology).
Jugdment.

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