We tend to think having more options is better, but the science shows too many choices can drain mental energy, increase anxiety, and make us feel worse about making decisions, even when those decisions seem trivial. Dr. Laurie explores the psychology of choice overload and decision fatigue—including why we wrongly prioritize more choices over greater well-being and how constant decision making can undermine long-term happiness. She also speaks with a woman who radically simplified her life just by cleaning out her wardrobe.

Experts Mentioned:
- Dr. Sheena Iyengar, S.T. Lee Professor of Business, Columbia Univesirty 
- Barry Schwartz, Dorwin P. Cartwright Professor Emeritus in Social Theory and Social Action, Swarthmore College and Visiting Professor, University of California, Berkeley 
- Mark Lepper, Albert Ray Lang Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, Stanford University 
- Peter Ubel, Madge and Dennis T. McLawhorn University Distinguished Professor
Professor of Business Administration, Professor of Medicine, Professor in Population Health Sciences Duke University 

Resources Mentioned:
- "When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?" (Personality Process and Individual Differences, 2000)
- The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz (2004)
- Karen Quinlan Supreme Court Case 
- Courtney Carver and Project 333

Related episodes of "The Happiness Lab":
- "Reconnect with the Moment"
- "You Only Live Once...So Commit"
- "How to Make Better Choices (with Barry Schwartz)"
- "You Can Change"

We tend to think having more options is better, but the science shows too many choices can drain mental energy, increase anxiety, and make us feel worse about making decisions, even when those decisions seem trivial. Dr. Laurie explores the psychology of choice overload and decision fatigue&mdash;including why we wrongly prioritize more choices over greater well-being and how constant decision making can undermine long-term happiness. She also speaks with a woman who radically simplified her life just by cleaning out her wardrobe. Experts Mentioned: - <a href="https://psychology.columbia.edu/content/sheena-iyengar">Dr. Sheena Iyengar</a>, S.T. Lee Professor of Business, Columbia Univesirty - <a href="https://www.swarthmore.edu/profile/barry-schwartz">Barry Schwartz</a>, Dorwin P. Cartwright Professor Emeritus in Social Theory and Social Action, Swarthmore College and Visiting Professor, University of California, Berkeley - <a href="https://psychology.stanford.edu/people/mark-lepper">Mark Lepper</a>, Albert Ray Lang Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, Stanford University - <a href="https://medicine.duke.edu/profile/peter-ubel">Peter Ubel</a>, Madge and Dennis T. McLawhorn University Distinguished Professor Professor of Business Administration, Professor of Medicine, Professor in Population Health Sciences Duke University Resources Mentioned: - "<a href="https://faculty.washington.edu/jdb/345/345%20Articles/Iyengar%20%26%20Lepper%20(2000).pdf">When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?</a>" (Personality Process and Individual Differences, 2000) - <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-paradox-of-choice-barry-schwartz?variant=32207920234530">The Paradox of Choice</a> by Barry Schwartz (2004) - <a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/supreme-court/1976/70-n-j-10-0.html">Karen Quinlan Supreme Court Case </a> - <a href="https://bemorewithless.com/about/">Courtney Carver and Project 333 </a> Related episodes of "The Happiness Lab": - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/reconnect-with-the-moment">Reconnect with the Moment</a>" - <a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/you-only-live-once-so-commit">"You Only Live Once...So Commit"</a> - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/how-to-make-better-choices-with-barry-schwartz">How to Make Better Choices (with Barry Schwartz)</a>" - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/you-can-change">You Can Change</a>"

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Decision Fatigue: The Psychology of Choice Overload 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8e6029ac-14c8-4125-af25-ae32007ee519/transcript