In times of chaos, people with anxiety or depression find it hard to make sound decisions, according to a study from the University of California, Berkeley. We explore the insights and science behind decision-making during tough times.
In a study published in eLife, researchers tested the decision-making skills of more than 300 adults, including those with depression and generalized anxiety disorders. The participants were asked to play a computer game that involved choosing between two shapes, one of which delivered a mild electrical shock, while the other delivered a monetary prize. As conditions became more volatile, people with symptoms of depression and anxiety found it hard to adjust to the changes. The problem, says senior author Dr. Sonia Bishop, is that they focus on what they got wrong. "When everything keeps changing rapidly, and you get a bad outcome from a decision you make, you might fixate on what you did wrong, which is often the case with clinically anxious or depressed people," says Dr. Bishop.
The researchers note that encouraging people with anxiety and depression to focus on past successes, rather than failures, can push them toward making better decisions. This is something ‘emotionally resilient’ people tend to do naturally. With 30% of Americans experiencing symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder, and with loneliness, stress, and depression surging during the pandemic period, it’s likely that a significant proportion of the population will be struggling to make good choices. With this in mind, there’s room for brands to nudge people toward making better decisions by redirecting their attention to positive past experiences.
Ope Oduwole is a junior behavioral analyst at Canvas8. He has a BA from the University of Nottingham and leans on the inquisitive nature of his studies. With an avid interest in all things creative, if he’s not at a concert or poetry reading, he’s buried inside a book with a cup of green tea.
