KNOW WHAT TYPE OF PERSON YOU ARE:
Are you a maximizer or a satisficer? Find out by taking Dr. Schwartz's test. Rate yourself from 1 to 7 on each of the following statements, with "1" meaning you never do and "7" meaning you always do.
We put together a test that allowed people to rate themselves (on a scale of 1 to 7) in terms of how aggressively they try to maximize their choices and also how happy they feel about their decisions.
1. Whenever I'm faced with a choice, I try to imagine what all the other possibilities are, even the ones that aren't present at the moment.
2. No matter how satisfied I am with my job, it's only right for me to be on the lookout for better opportunities.
3. When I am in the car listening to the radio, I often check other stations to see if something better is playing, even if I am relatively satisfied with what I'm listening to.
4. When I watch TV, I channel-surf, often scanning through the available options even while attempting to watch one program.
5. I treat relationships like clothing. I expect to try a lot on before finding the perfect fit.
6. I often find it difficult to shop for a gift for a friend.
7. Renting videos is really difficult. I'm always struggling to pick the best one.
8. When shopping, I have a hard time finding clothing that I really love.
9. I'm a big fan of lists that attempt to rank things (the best movies, the best singers, the best athletes, the best novels, etc.).
10. I find that writing is very difficult, even if it's just writing a letter to a friend, because it's so hard to word things just right. I often do several drafts of even simple things.
11. No matter what I do, I have the highest standards for myself.
12. I never settle for second-best.
13. I often fantasize about living in ways that are quite different from my actual life.
How to score: Add up your marks and multiply by 10 then divide the result by 13.
50 AND ABOVE = YOU ARE A MAXIMIZER...
BELOW 50 = YOU ARE A SATISFICER...
