Exploring the role of personality in the relationship between maximization and well-being

The present study investigates how the Big Five personality traits may play a role in explaining the negative association between maximization and well-being. Contrary to expectation that conscientiousness drives one’s tendency to maximize, neuroticism emerged as the strongest predictor. Further, when controlling for personality traits, the negative relations between maximization (and its facets) and various well-being variables were appreciably attenuated. However, the tendency to experience regret was found to fully mediate the negative relationship between maximization and satisfaction with life even after controlling for personality traits. Our findings suggest that the measurement of maximization may over-represent an affective component of maximizing that leads to decision-related distress while neglecting a more cognitive component, which might reflect a preference for planned, yet painstaking, searches for the “best.”