Abstract (eng)
Decisions are often based on predictions about the emotional reactions to future events, so-called Affective Forecasts (Wilson & Gilbert, 2003). As such predictions are often erroneous (MacInnis et al., 2005) they can lead to wrong decisions. Predicting one´s need for variety is one way of Affective Forecasting. Research has revealed a pattern of choice called diversification bias: If people make combined choices of quantities of goods (e.g. snacks) for future consumption, they choose more variety than if they make separate choices immediately preceding consumption (Read & Loewenstein, 1995). In fact, people do not feel satisfied with the variety they have chosen (Read & Loewenstein, 1995). In the present study the diversification bias is replicated by means of two conditions, simultaneous choice with sequential consumption and sequential choice with sequential consumption. Additionally, the study deals with the impact of the ability to reflect upon and manage one´s emotions, emotional intelligence (Salovey & Mayer, 1990), on decision making in the domain of variety seeking in order to identify interindividual differences. Significant differences could not be found. Finally, the study is concerned with the question of whether decisions in terms of the diversification bias lead to regret. The results, however, do not show an effect like this.