Still Trying to Understand Happiness . . .
"I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it."
- Groucho Marx
I'm still trying to Understand Happiness through iTunes U. In previous posts I discussed classes 1, 2 and 3 in the iTunes U course Understanding Happiness. In the 4th class, psychologist and professor Barry Schwartz discusses The Paradox of Choice and it's effect on happiness. His talk is interesting and entertaining and somewhat disconcerting. His premise is that:
Adding options to people's lives can't help but increase the expectations that people have about how good those options can be - and what that is going to produce is less satisfaction with results even when they are good results . . . the secret to happiness is Low Expectations!
This is an interesting thesis certainly creates debate, but is it true? Professor Schwartz' talk certainly has validity. And when I think back to talks I've had with friends about shopping and dissatisfaction, I can't help but think the man has a point. Schwartz explains why choice makes people miserable:
- Regret and anticipated regret
- Opportunity costs
- Escalation of expectation
- Self-blame
We are always wondering if we could do better.A thought provoking and often funny video presentation: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6XEQIsCoM] Please let me know your thoughts Barry Schwartz' TED talk at iTunes U, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on choice and its impact on your happiness.And as always thank you for taking the time to visit, I appreciate it.