Many people find themselves in a dilemma about whether having a variety of choices makes one happier. Some people have argued out that having many choices makes one happier, while others have supported that it does not. It is due to this that Barry Schwartz, in the clip on the paradox of choice, has tried to bring an understanding of the relationship between choice and happiness since our culture operates on assuming that giving people more options should make them happier.
The paradox of choice is that more is less. Having many choices limits one’s freedom (Schwartz). Few examples that Schwartz mentions about the explosion of choices are: In a supermarket with a hundred and seventy-five salad dressings, choosing one to buy is quite a task. Also, in health care, the doctor diagnoses a health condition then gives multiple medication choices stating clearly the benefits and risks of each then leaves the patient to choose. The process of choosing is quite demanding, putting in mind that the patient is sick and not in the right condition to make a decision ().
Two negative consequences are associated with having too many choices. Choices are a paralysis rather than a liberation since having so many options to choose from makes it difficult to choose. Also, making a choice where there are many makes one less satisfied with the result. There are reasons why choice leads to dissatisfaction. This includes; regret on the decision made. For example, if a salad dressing is bought and it is not perfect, there will be an imagination of the other alternative not chose to be better hence regret (). Secondly, when a choice is made, the thought of the attractive feature of the other alternatives rejected makes one less satisfied. For example, a couple on the Hamptons, but the guy keeps thinking of the parking space he is missing at home as the neighbors are away (). Thirdly, there are escalations of expectations. This occurs when there is a variety to choose from; there is an expectation of one to be perfect. For example, Schwartz was disappointed when he bought a pair of jeans from various pairs and found them not to be perfect (). Fourthly, if a choice goes wrong, the one to blame is ‘you.’ This is because there was a variety to choose from. For example, with a hundred different kinds of jeans on display, there is no excuse for not choosing the best (). Schwartz advocates for income redistribution amongst those with few choices to make, which will make everyone better. Everybody needs a fishbowl means that having many options decreases happiness and satisfaction.
Schwartz tries to bring an understanding of the relationship between choice and happiness. Schwartz explains that choices bring about paralysis and dissatisfaction. It also takes away the happiness that would be there if choices are less.