176. Why Is It So Hard to Make Decisions?
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Why do we get overwhelmed when we have too many choices? Should we make our own decisions or copy other people's? And how can Angela manage her sock inventory?

• SOURCES:

• Arie Kruglanski), professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park.

• Katy Milkman), professor of operations, information, and decisions at the University of Pennsylvania.

• Sylvia Plath), 20th-century American novelist and poet.

• Barry Schwartz), professor of social theory and social action at Swarthmore College.

• Herbert Simon), professor of computer science and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University.

• Will Smith), actor and film producer.

• RESOURCES:

• "Choice Deprivation, Choice Overload, and Satisfaction with Choices Across Six Nations)," by Elena Reutskaja, Nathan N. Cheek, Barry Schwartz, et al. (*Journal of International Marketing, *2021).

• Will)*, *by Will Smith with Mark Manson (2021).

• "Can’t Decide What to Stream? Netflix’s New Feature Will Choose for You)," by Katie Deighton (*The Wall Street Journal, *2021).

• The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less)*, *by Barry Schwartz (2004).

• "The Tyranny of Choice)," by Barry Schwartz (*Scientific American, *2004).

• "Maximizing Versus Satisficing: Happiness Is a Matter of Choice)," by Barry Schwartz, Andrew Ward, John Monterosso, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Katherine White, and Darrin R. Lehman (*Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, *2002).

• "Self-Determination: The Tyranny of Freedom)," by Barry Schwartz (*American Psychologist, *2000).

• "To 'Do the Right Thing' or to 'Just Do It': Locomotion and Assessment as Distinct Self-Regulatory Imperatives)," by Arie Kruglanski, Erik P. Thompson, E. Tory Higgins, M. Nadir Atash, Antonio Pierro, James Y. Shah, and Scott Spiegel (*Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, *2000).

• "Rational Choice and the Structure of the Environment)," by Herbert Simon (*Psychological Review, *1956).

• Administrative Behavior)*, *by Herbert Simon (1947).

• EXTRA:

• "Do You Mind if I Borrow Your Personality?)" by *No Stupid Questions *(2022).

• "How Much Should We Be Able to Customize Our World?)" by *No Stupid Questions *(2021).

• "Are You a Maximizer or a Satisficer?)" by *No Stupid Questions *(2020).

• Cars.com Superbowl Ad) (2009).