"The Effects of Action, Normality, and Decision Carefulness on Anticipa" by Jochen REB and Terry CONNOLLY
 

Publication Type

Working Paper

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

2007

Abstract

In three studies we examined the effects of action/inaction, social normality (i.e., how typical the decision is in one’s social environment) and decision process carefulness on anticipated regret. Whereas past research has drawn on norm theory (Kahneman & Miller, 1986) to emphasize the role of mutability in (anticipated) regret, the present studies highlight the important role of perceptions of decision justifiability (Connolly & Zeelenberg, 2002). Study 1 replicated earlier findings showing greater anticipated regret when behavior was abnormal, but perceived justifiability mediated the effect. Study 2 showed that anticipated regret was higher for careless than for careful decisions; perceived decision justifiability again mediated the effect. Study 3 found that, when both carefulness and normality information was provided, only the former affected anticipated regret, again mediated by perceived justifiability. Decision justification theory thus appears to provide a better account of anticipated regret intensity in this context than does norm theory.

Keywords

Anticipated Regret, Decision Making, Decision Process Carefulness, Justifiability, Normality, Regret Aversion

Discipline

Business | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

First Page

1

Last Page

39

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Comments

Published in Cognition and Emotion, 2010, 24 (8), pp. 1405-1420 https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930903512168

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