The Paradox of Choice; Why More Is Less

New York, New York: ECCO [an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers], 2004. First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. xi, [5], 265 pages. Includes Notes and Index, and several black and white illustrations. Inscribed by the author. Inscription reads: To Steve [Steve Roberts, the husband of Cokie Roberts], It was a pleasure talking to you. Best, Barry Schwartz, 22 December, 2004. This was part of a collection of books formerly owned by Cokie and Steve Roberts. Contains Prologue; The Paradox of Choice: A Road Map; When We Choose; How We Choose; Why We Suffer; and What We Can Do. Barry Schwartz (born August 15, 1946) is an American psychologist. Schwartz is the Dorwin Cartwright Professor of Social Theory and Social Action at Swarthmore College. He frequently publishes editorials in The New York Times applying his research in psychology to current events. Schwartz's research addresses morality, decision-making and the inter-relationships between science and society. His books criticize modern western society, illuminating the underlying psychological plagues of our time. By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counterintuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on those that are important and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices that must be made. Whether we're buying a pair of jeans, selecting a long-distance carrier, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions-from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs-have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented. We assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of choice overload: it can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains why too much of a good thing has proven detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. Synthesizing current research in the social sciences, he makes the counterintuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, he offers practical steps for how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on the important ones and ignore the rest, and, ultimately, derive greater satisfaction from the choices you do make.