Maximisers and Satisficers

Maximisers and Satisficers

Reviewed by Faisal Zaidi

Maximisers seek the best available option; satisficers take the first that clears their standard.

What it is

A maximiser aims for the best available option and keeps searching until satisfied that nothing better exists. A satisficer takes the first option that meets a standard and stops. The satisficing idea comes from Herbert Simon, and the maximiser type and its scale come from Barry Schwartz.

In effect

The article on maxxing uses the 2006 job-search study by Iyengar, Wells and Schwartz, which followed students through the search, as evidence on the cost of chasing the best option.

What it does not say

The two types are tendencies and not fixed kinds of person, and Schwartz notes that no one is an absolute maximiser. The evidence linking the types to outcomes is largely self-reported.

Sources

  1. Iyengar, S. S., Wells, R. E., & Schwartz, B. (2006). Doing Better but Feeling Worse: Looking for the Best Job Undermines Satisfaction. Psychological Science, 17(2), 143-150.