#30: Are you a Maximizer or Satisficer?

Adding an extra dose of behavioral science to your week with our series In a Nutshell— a collection of behavioral science principles, explained in 150 words or less, written weekly by CUBIC director Allison Zelkowitz.

Which of these statements better reflects you?

A:  During meetings, I often suggest questions, processes, and areas to explore, and it worries me when others aren’t assessing all the information and possibilities.

B:  During meetings, I often get frustrated with new suggested questions, processes, and topics, and try to steer the group toward making decisions.

If you selected A, you may be a “maximizer,” someone who aims to evaluate all options and make the best choice possible.  If you selected B, you could be a “satisficer,” someone who aims for a “good enough” choice so as to move on.  (Check out the Maximization Scale in this paper to assess yourself.)

 Maximizers may make objectively better decisions, but they ruminate and regret them more. Satisficers may miss the optimal solution – but they feel more content. By recognizing these decision-making styles, we can capitalize on each other’s strengths – and become more tolerant.