The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Decision Fatigue: The Psychology of Choice Overload

We tend to think having more options is better, but the science shows too many choices can drain mental energy, increase anxiety, and make us feel worse about making decisions, even when those decisions seem trivial. Dr. Laurie explores the psychology of choice overload and decision fatigue—including why we wrongly prioritize more choices over greater well-being and how constant decision making can undermine long-term happiness. She also speaks with a woman who radically simplified her life just by cleaning out her wardrobe.

Experts Mentioned:
– Dr. Sheena Iyengar, S.T. Lee Professor of Business, Columbia Univesirty
– Barry Schwartz, Dorwin P. Cartwright Professor Emeritus in Social Theory and Social Action, Swarthmore College and Visiting Professor, University of California, Berkeley
– Mark Lepper, Albert Ray Lang Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, Stanford University
– Peter Ubel, Madge and Dennis T. McLawhorn University Distinguished Professor
Professor of Business Administration, Professor of Medicine, Professor in Population Health Sciences Duke University

Resources Mentioned:
– “When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?” (Personality Process and Individual Differences, 2000)
– The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz (2004)
– Karen Quinlan Supreme Court Case
– Courtney Carver and Project 333

Related episodes of “The Happiness Lab”:
– “Reconnect with the Moment”
– “You Only Live Once…So Commit”
– “How to Make Better Choices (with Barry Schwartz)”
– “You Can Change“