A new study published inPsychological Sciencefound that participants had more regret with idealized forgone alternatives.
A forgone alternative refers to the second choice that people eventually reject when making a decision.
People tend to overestimate its appeal when compared to the reality of the choice they selected.
Francesco Carta fotografo / Getty
They found that knowledge of an unchosen outcome helps stem the degree of regret."
Revealing the unchosen outcome corrects these misconceptions.
They also found that the chosen options are frequently overestimated."
Waichler explains, “The throw in of environment influences the outcome based on this research.
Readers can apply this in some situations in their lives like choosing a job or finding a partner.
Use a bad choice to learn how to be more effective in making future decisions.
“This heightens the level of regret,” she says.
Life choices are complex and have many layers.
As a therapist, Waichler dissuades clients fromobsessingover regrets.
Use a bad choice to learn how to be more effective in making future decisions,” she says.
Do you give yourself permission to forgive and move forward when the next decision arises?"
Give yourself time to recover and heal from a previous bad decision.
Making decisions when you are in a bad place emotionally may result in more negative outcomes.
In reminding yourself that you are human and everyone makes mistakes, Waichler recommendsself-compassion.
Waichler highlights, “Give yourself time to recover and heal from a previous bad decision.
Making decisions when you are in a bad place emotionally may result in more negative outcomes.”
How will you use this knowledge to make better decisions in the future?"
Personality has been seen as a great predictor of regret."
2015;5(7):e604-e604.
