Willpower Ch: 4

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Questions and Answers

What is the cost to schedule an entire day with Maya?

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$31,000 (correct)

Which option involves contemplating Impressionist paintings?

Contemplation with Savannah (correct)

Day with Maya

Dinner date with Renee

Evening with Kristen

What method of payment is required for the evening with Kristen?

Cash

Check

Wire transfer (correct)

Anonymous money order

What does the Emperors Club VIP claim as its goal?

To make life more peaceful, balanced, beautiful, and meaningful Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options was chosen by Eliot Spitzer?

Evening with Kristen Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor that contributed to Spitzer's downfall as governor?

His exposure to decision fatigue Signup and view all the answers

What outcome was observed among participants who made multiple choices in the experiments?

They surrendered sooner in a self-control test Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior is NOT associated with decision fatigue as described in the content?

Resisting unhealthy food temptations Signup and view all the answers

What personal experience inspired Jean Twenge to explore self-control and decision fatigue?

Planning her wedding registry Signup and view all the answers

In the experiments regarding decision fatigue, what was the control group's task?

Rating their opinion of the products without making choices Signup and view all the answers

What effect does decision making have on students' ability to engage in subsequent tasks?

It causes them to give up sooner on puzzles. Signup and view all the answers

What type of mental processes require more willpower according to psychologists?

Controlled processes such as solving complex problems. Signup and view all the answers

In the research involving Dell's computer customization site, which group of participants experienced the most fatigue?

Those who made selections and configured their choices. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor influences whether decision-making depletes willpower for participants in the bridal-registry experiment?

The enthusiasm participants had toward the task. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Rubicon model of action phases' describe in decision-making?

The transition from predecisional to postdecisional phases. Signup and view all the answers

What factor primarily influenced the decision-making of the judges during the parole hearings?

The time of day the prisoners were heard Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes how making choices for oneself compares to making choices for others?

Choosing for others is less emotionally taxing than for oneself. Signup and view all the answers

What was the chance of a prisoner receiving parole if they appeared just after a food break?

65 percent Signup and view all the answers

How were the decisions made by the parole board characterized in the research conducted by Levav and Danziger?

Decisions were significantly influenced by the time of day. Signup and view all the answers

What outcome did prisoners encountered late in the day experience compared to those seen in the morning?

They were denied parole more often. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Decision Fatigue

Decision fatigue impairs willpower, affecting various aspects of life.
Ordinary sensible people exhibit poorer judgment when fatigued.
Cognitive exertion depletes mental resources, affecting subsequent decisions and self-control.

Types of Decisions and Mental Processes

Automatic processes: Effortless mental actions like basic math.
Controlled processes: Requiring mental effort and willpower (e.g., complex calculations, decisions).
Rubicon model of action phases: Describes the mental steps in decision-making: Pre-decisional (contemplating possible outcomes), decision (crossing the Rubicon), and post-decisional (implementation).

Experiments on Decision Fatigue

Wedding registry experiment: Demonstrated that depleting willpower with decisions made participants more susceptible to immediate gratification.
Computer configuration experiment: Showed that making decisions, especially complex ones, diminishes self-control.
Mall experiment: Demonstrated that shoppers who experienced decision-making fatigue in stores exhibited reduced willpower on tasks outside the stores.
Israeli parole board decisions: Research showed that judges were more likely to grant parole to prisoners presented early in their workday, and less likely later in the day. Judge's decisions were systematically influenced by time of day, reflecting the impact of decision fatigue. The mid-morning snack break and lunch break correlated to improved parole decisions. Consistent with the impact of glucose levels.

Impact of Choice Availability

Too many options: Decision fatigue is exacerbated by having excessive choices. Online dating and shopping experiences demonstrate this clearly.
Ease of choice vs. difficulty: Decisions are more taxing when options are less appealing, and when many options require careful consideration.
Choosing for others vs. oneself: Choosing for a stranger is less tiring than making decisions that directly impact oneself.
Lack of immediate reward avoidance: The "fear of loss" leads people to maintain options even if it is financially unsustainable.

Short-term vs Long-term Rewards

Now-or-later choices: People often choose immediate rewards over larger, delayed ones when their willpower is depleted.
Factors influencing short-term choices: Presence of attractive visuals (especially women), and mental/emotional states

Implications across domains

Business: Clever marketers leverage decision fatigue by positioning desirable products (e.g., luxury goods) at moments when a buyer's attention and willpower are low.
Relationships: Picking a romantic partner is significantly affected by decision fatigue, with some making excessively careful and picky choices for a potential partner while facing many options.
Legal systems: Justice systems are affected, with judges' rulings affected by the time of day and the previous decisions impacting decision-making for the day.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of decision fatigue and its effects on willpower and judgment. Learn about the different types of mental processes involved in decision-making and examine experiments that illustrate the impact of decision fatigue on self-control. Gain insights into how understanding these principles can improve your decision-making capabilities.