Watch CBS News

How you make your decisions can affect happiness

Making decisions is an important part of our daily routine, but did you know that our style of deciding may impact our emotional state?
Choose wisely: How the way you make decisions affects happiness 04:05

Making decisions is an important part of our daily routine, but did you know that our style of deciding may impact our emotional state?

Based on research by Dr. Barry Schwartz, a psychology professor at Swarthmore College, Wall Street Journal columnist Elizabeth Bernstein looked at how choosing is related to happiness.

Psychology researchers found two types of decision makers: the "maximizer," who weighs every option and decides on the optimal choice, or the "satisficers," who want to make a faster choice over a thorough one.

Watch the full segment to see which decision maker is happier, and take this quiz to determine your decision-making style:

maximizer-satisficer.jpg
Rob Shepperson
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.