A Level Economics AQA Practice Exam

What does restricted choice aim to prevent?

1. Overwhelm from too many options

2. Mandatory decision-making

3. Loss of individual autonomy

4. Guaranteed optimal decision-making

The correct answer is: Overwhelm from too many options

Restricted choice aims to prevent overwhelm from too many options. In economics and behavioral sciences, there is significant research indicating that when individuals are presented with an excessive number of choices, they can experience difficulty in making decisions. This phenomenon is often referred to as "choice overload," where the anxiety and confusion stemming from sifting through numerous alternatives can lead to procrastination, dissatisfaction, or even paralysis in decision-making. By limiting the number of options available, restricted choice simplifies the decision-making process, allowing individuals to focus their attention on a manageable set of alternatives. This can enhance the likelihood of making a decision and increase satisfaction with the choice made, as people tend to feel less regret when they are not faced with a multitude of potential alternatives. In contrast, while mandatory decision-making, loss of individual autonomy, and guaranteed optimal decision-making may relate to aspects of decision-making processes, they do not directly capture the essence of why restricted choice is implemented. The primary aim is indeed to mitigate the negative effects of having too many options, rather than enforcing decisions or removing autonomy.