Issue 1 Explore JFM 2017
Choice overload is a cognitive process in which people have a difficult time making a decision when faced with many equivalent options. Making a decision becomes overwhelming due to the many potential outcomes and risks that may result from making the wrong choice.
Harmless as it may seem, choosing from several, equivalent options, several times a day, every single day, is quite an ask.
It becomes unconsciously a stressful, often confusing and time consuming process. And hence our children, with a lot of clothes often genuinely have a hard time choosing what to wear.
Besides, there is often a risk of dissatisfaction with the choice made, versus the expectations one had while making the choice- and subsequently regret or guilt for not choosing something better, cheaper, newer or trendier.
The grumpiness is due to this continuous struggle with choosing and dissatisfaction with the choice made.
Buffets are fun, an indulgence over a holiday or special occasions. But should this be offered every day, it would take a whole lot of time, energy and interest to get through it day after day, unless one is clear about precisely what we wants and needs. And this knowledge of exactly what one wants, is possible when there is less clutter and confusion.
Besides, would we relish the spread if offered everyday, is another question we need to think over when trying to understand the‘ grumpy despite so much choice’ phenomenon among our children. How can they savour the toys, be grateful for the privileges that have become a norm, a way of life for them?
‘ Inverted U’ Model
The satisfaction of choices by number of options available can be described by an inverted“ U” model. Having too many choices, beyond a certain‘ ideal’ number results in the same low satisfaction as when having no choice at all.
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