Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The “Burden in the Hand”: When a Sure Thing is Regrettable

Williamson, Rose M
http://orcid.org/0009-0009-6365-4750
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou16866627706613

Abstract Details

2023, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Experimental Psychology (Arts and Sciences).
Both culturally and in decision-making research, humans have traditionally viewed guaranteed good things as highly valuable. However, in some contexts a guaranteed good thing may produce more negative experiences than not receiving one – if that means having to make a decision between the guarantee and something superior, but uncertain. The differences in emotional experiences that arise between only waiting for something favorable and having to choose between waiting for something favorable, or settling for something guaranteed, but less preferable have not been previously explored. Using an employment paradigm, Studies 1 and 2 provided evidence that receiving a guarantee can produce more anticipated regret and negative affect than having nothing for sure. Study 3 replicated those findings and further explored them through the lens of regulatory focus theory. Regulatory focus did not moderate the effects of receiving a guarantee but did produce differences in participant priorities and choice behavior; prevention focus, relative to promotion focus, made participants more likely to view being empty-handed as the more important concern and choose to settle for the guarantee. In sum, this work provides evidence that guaranteed good things can feel worse than having nothing for sure if they introduce a decision.
Keith Markman (Advisor)
Dominik Mischkowski (Committee Member)
Kimberly Rios (Committee Member)
112 p.
Cognitive Psychology; Experimental Psychology; Psychology; Social Psychology
Psychology; Social Cognition; Judgment and Decision Making; Emotion; Regret; Affect; Anticipated Regret; Regulatory Focus

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Williamson, R. M. (2023). The “Burden in the Hand”: When a Sure Thing is Regrettable [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou16866627706613

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Williamson, Rose. The “Burden in the Hand”: When a Sure Thing is Regrettable. 2023. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou16866627706613.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Williamson, Rose. "The “Burden in the Hand”: When a Sure Thing is Regrettable." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou16866627706613

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou16866627706613
73
© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.