Date Time
Does regret affect strategic decision-making?
New research shows people are often influenced by their beliefs and predictions about the likelihood of others’ actions, and less so by the anticipation of regret.
Past research shows anticipated regret – the fear of experiencing shame or guilt in the future, typically about decisions being considered now – plays a role in decision-making. Such an intense and unpleasant feeling may affect a person’s decisions wisely, but sometimes less so.
A growing body of evidence shows anticipated regret motivates actions. Regret management theory finds people should indeed act to reduce the regret they feel or may experience rather than blame themselves.