The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

How does Schwartz characterize the relationship between choice and freedom? How does he establish a nuanced position on this relationship?

According to the author, what is the effect of choice overload on people’s mental health? What other factors in decision-making and mental health may Schwartz have downplayed or overlooked?

What are “maximizers” and how are they different from “satisficers”? What are the strengths and weaknesses of his analysis regarding these categories?

The author identifies numerous biases which inform people’s decision-making process. How does he connect these biases to his overall message and key themes?

How does the author support his argument that limitations can be beneficial for people’s quality of life? How does he explore the relationship between limitations and freedom?

What are trade-offs and opportunity costs, and why do they make decision-making so psychologically taxing? What trade-offs and opportunity costs have you made regarding your own decisions? In what ways, if any, does your own experience align with Schwartz’s theories?

Explain the phenomenon of adaptation and how it affects people’s lives and mental health. What are some methods for dealing with adaptation effectively? Which of Schwartz’s methods did you find most or least helpful?

What are some of the rhetorical techniques that Schwartz deploys in The Paradox of Choice? What role do they play in presenting his arguments, and how does he use them in attempts to be persuasive?