WHEN PEOPLE EVALUATE AN EXPERIENCE, THEY ARE PERFORMING one or more of the following comparisons: Comparing the experience to what they hoped it would be Comparing the experience to what they expected it to be Comparing the experience to other experiences they have had in the recent past Comparing the experience to experiences that others have had
In the evaluation of experiences, people often engage in various comparisons to gauge satisfaction. They may reflect on how their experiences align with personal hopes and expectations, which sets a benchmark for their assessment. Additionally, they might juxtapose their current experience with past events or those of others, creating a broader context for understanding their enjoyment or dissatisfaction.
According to Barry Schwartz in "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less," these comparisons can significantly influence how people perceive their experiences. The ability to measure satisfaction against multiple criteria can lead to a complex evaluation process, often impacting the overall enjoyment of an experience.