Leiden University Student Repository

Marzocchi, Alessia (2024)

Choices Under the Spotlight: The Influence of Social Pressure on Individuals’ Choice Satisfaction: Exploring how social expectations influence satisfaction with choices

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

The present research investigates the impact of social pressure on choice satisfaction, aiming to deepen the understanding of how social expectations shape individuals’ satisfaction levels with their choices. For our experiment, 279 English-speaking individuals, aged 18 and older, were recruited through the Prolific platform. Participants were subjected to a manipulation designed to increase the perception of having their choices evaluated by others. The results revealed a significant decrease in individuals’ levels of satisfaction with their previous choices once the social pressure manipulation was introduced to the questions’ framing. While the personality type extraversion appeared to significantly influence individuals’ levels of satisfaction, no statistical evidence was found to suggest that neuroticism and anxiety traits may impact individuals’ satisfaction with their choices. None of the three variables tested appeared to act as a moderator. This study contributes to the...Show moreThe present research investigates the impact of social pressure on choice satisfaction, aiming to deepen the understanding of how social expectations shape individuals’ satisfaction levels with their choices. For our experiment, 279 English-speaking individuals, aged 18 and older, were recruited through the Prolific platform. Participants were subjected to a manipulation designed to increase the perception of having their choices evaluated by others. The results revealed a significant decrease in individuals’ levels of satisfaction with their previous choices once the social pressure manipulation was introduced to the questions’ framing. While the personality type extraversion appeared to significantly influence individuals’ levels of satisfaction, no statistical evidence was found to suggest that neuroticism and anxiety traits may impact individuals’ satisfaction with their choices. None of the three variables tested appeared to act as a moderator. This study contributes to the existing literature on choice satisfaction by highlighting the complexity of this construct and underscoring the need to further explore the role played by a socially pressuring environment in influencing individuals’ satisfaction. Future research can build on these insights to develop strategies for mitigating the adverse impact of a socially pressuring environment on individuals’ satisfaction with their choices, promoting psychological well-being in social contexts.Show less

Social Pressure

Choice satisfaction

Extraversion

Neuroticism

Anxiety traits

Author

Marzocchi, Alessia

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Economic and Consumer Psychology

Supervisors

Vives Moya, M.L.

ECTS Credits

20 EC

Language

en