Decisions can be hard. We may be haunted by the path not taken.
决定有时很难。我们也许会被未选择的路所困扰。
But the best way to feel better about the one choice we do make may be to put up a literal barrier to any of the other choices.
但是,让我们更加满意自己所做出的选择,最好办法就是对其它选择设置一个文字障碍。
In a recent study, some participants had to choose a chocolate from a box holding a selection of 24 chocolates. Others picked from a box containing just six chocolates. Each box had a transparent lid. Some were told to just pick one and taste it. Others had to pick one, but close the lid again before tasting it. Then all participants were asked to rate their chocolate.
在近期的研究中,令其中一些参与者从装有24颗巧克力的盒子中选择一颗巧克力。其它人则从只装有六颗巧克力的盒子中做出选择。每只盒子的盖子都是透明的。然后让其中一部分选一颗尝尝。让其它人在选择一颗巧克力之后,品尝之前再次关上盒盖。然后让所有的参与者评价他们得到的巧克力。
Those who put a transparent lid back on the box immediately after choosing from the 24 chocolates enjoyed their candy more than those who lingered with the lid open—even though both groups could see the chocolates not chosen!
那些从24颗巧克力中选择一颗后立即把透明的盖子放回盒子的人比那些纠结于开着的盒盖的人更享受他们的糖果——即使每组人都能看见未被选择的巧克力!
What about the six-chocolate box? Closing the lid had no effect on chocolate rankings. The study is the Journal of Consumer Research (PDF.)
那么装有6颗巧克力的盒子呢?关上盒盖对巧克力的评价没有影响。这项研究发表在《消费者研究》期刊上。
The researchers say other studies show that when we start with fewer options we don't tend to ruminate on other choices, or even compare options. We simply like what we get.
研究人员说道,其它的研究证明当我们一开始的选择就很少时,我们多半不会去纠结其它的选择,或者比较的选项。很简单,我们对自己得到的感到满意。
Just don't put back any half eaten chocolates.
记住别把吃掉一半的巧克力放回去。