Je Ne Regrette Rien? Variables Related to the Experience of Regret

Abstract

This paper reports an empirical study that investigates factors related to post-decisional regret. Regret is viewed as a negative emotion that results from the belief that one could have done better by deciding differently. The rising number of choices available in the Western society creates a conflict of values, which can impair learning through motivational interference and the experienced regret. The postulated model proposes that these effects can be partially mitigated by means of intuition. The study was conducted among German and Australian university students, which allowed also for a cultural comparison.