Maximizer
to Satisficer When ‘More’ Actually Leads to Good Enough:
A satisficer is a pragmatic
individual who makes decisions based on meeting requirements in a timely
manner, finding the “good enough” solution and moving on. The word is a
portmanteau of the words satisfy and suffice. Satisficing contrasts with
maximizing.
When does ‘More’ lead to Good Enough
(other than temporarily after the 1987, 2008 and 2020 market severe declines)?
In choosing something anew (for
example not bought before) that of value takes time, research and analysis.
Initially, we analyze looking for what
we perceive is the best offers ‘more’ for the money – than the other choices –
comparatively.
But then after comfortable with the
‘more, better, comparatively’ choice – especially if we have ‘bought it’ more
than once even when something just a bit or even somewhat of better comes along
– the tendency is to stay – continue
purchasing or with the original choice – because it is good enough
even if switching costs are minimized.
Change for ‘more’ isn’t ‘worth’ it at
this point of ‘good enough.’ Thus, the resistance roadblock to change – even
for ‘more.’
Thus, we go from maximizer (more) to
satisficer (good enough) reinforced by either identification with the purchase
and or not being wrong or just plain the alternative isn’t demonstrably better
to take the time to change.
The
major exception is seeking more financially (more, better, now) as a derivative
tactic of acquisition thinking it will quell our belief in we Lack (Lacktose intolerance)
which stems from fear of physical extinction (which one identifies as himself
). More offers palliation and or the delusion of IM-More-tality. Thus, per
aforementioned sequence/ heuristic, financially, more is never enough or enough is just ‘a
little more’ to be maximized even though, financially, more better now has a
habit of becoming less worse later.
(The
above more (maximizer) becomes enough (satisficer) is in contrast to The Paradox
of Choice: Why More Is Less (2015). by Barry Schwartz who stipulated ‘good
enough’ (satisficer) was a result of ‘choice overload.’ The above more
(maximizer) becomes enough (satisficer) is a factor ‘of habit, and settling
reinforcing good enough (satisficing). Note: the first edition of ENOUGH was
1992, the second 1995 based on this author’s writings going back to 1975.)
