Abstract

More options can demotivate — limited arrays raise purchase, satisfaction, and essay quality versus extensive menus (Iyengar & Lepper, 2000).

Iyengar, S. S., & Lepper, M. R. (2000). When choice is demotivating: Can one desire too much of a good thing? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(6), 995–1006. DOI

Key findings

  • Limited vs extensive: — Field and lab: ~6 options beat 24–30 for jam/chocolate purchase and optional essay uptake.
  • Satisfaction after: — Choosers from limited sets report higher satisfaction and write better essays.

Application

When you redesign the stack for the pleasure of complexity — open this cite before you add another path. Club move: Complexity Trap.