The Easiest Option
Studies have shown that decision fatigue plays a significant role in leading people to choose the option that requires the least amount of effort. This phenomenon has been observed in various professions. For instance, research has found that judges become more lenient as decision fatigue sets in. Similarly, doctors are less likely to adhere to proper hand hygiene protocols, and surgeons and nurses may change their approaches to patient care.
How the Default Option Affects Decision Making
When faced with decision fatigue, individuals often tend to opt for the default option, which requires minimal analysis. Surprisingly, research suggests that this approach may not always be negative. In fact, in certain situations, choosing the default option can actually be the most prudent decision. A study conducted in the field of finance, specifically focusing on loan approvals, sheds light on the impact of decision fatigue.
The study revealed an interesting trend among loan officers. Approval rates were found to be highest in the morning, indicating that officers were more likely to carefully consider loan requests during this time. However, as the day progressed and decision fatigue set in, approval rates declined during the midday period. Interestingly, approval rates then increased again in the afternoon.
This pattern suggests that loan officers, experiencing decision fatigue, were more inclined to rely on the default option of denying the loan. While seemingly counterintuitive, this finding highlights the influence of decision fatigue on decision making, and how it can lead individuals to gravitate towards familiar or conservative choices.