Paradox of Choice - Summary and Conversation Lesson

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Paradox of Choice Barry Schwartz

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Transcript of Paradox of Choice - Summary and Conversation Lesson

Page 1: Paradox of Choice - Summary and Conversation Lesson

Paradox of Choice

Barry Schwartz

Page 2: Paradox of Choice - Summary and Conversation Lesson

What is it about?

• Psychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.

Page 3: Paradox of Choice - Summary and Conversation Lesson

Barry Schwartz

• Barry Schwartz (born 1946) is an American psychologist. • studies the link between economics and psychology, offering

startling insights into modern life.

• "Whether choosing a health-care plan, choosing a college class or even buying a pair of jeans, Schwartz shows that a bewildering array of choices floods our exhausted brains, ultimately restricting instead of freeing us." Publisher’s Weekly

Page 4: Paradox of Choice - Summary and Conversation Lesson

Comprehension / Vocabulary

• What is buyer’s remorse?• What happens when we have too many

choices?• Paralysis – We feel paralyzed.• Sky high expectations results in what?• Who is responsible for the dissatisfaction?• Modern affluent society

Page 5: Paradox of Choice - Summary and Conversation Lesson

Discussion

• Is he right? Do you agree with the paradox of choice?• Is it true in your country? Which products do we

have too many of? Not enough?• How important is a ‘pleasant surprise’?• Is the paradox of choice similar to ‘mo money mo

problems?’• Will income redistribution make everyone better

off?

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Discussion / Follow up

• Have you ever gone from a situation where you had only a few choices and then you had many choices?

• Have you ever gone from living at one level of income and then changed to significantly less?

• Are happiness and satisfaction totally relative concepts?

• Have we passed the point where more options are increasing our welfare?