Across all kinds of decisions—from our salaries to our weekend plans—we tend to prefer options that progressively get better, if given the choice. Why is it that our minds place such a high premium on an upward trajectory?

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at why we're drawn to experiences that appear to improve over time.

Katy speaks with Jerald Podair, Robert S. French Professor of American Studies, Emeritus, at Lawrence University and author of The Strike That Changed New York. They revisit the historic 1960 New York City public school teachers' strike where educators put their careers on the line to trade short-term perks and principal favoritism for a contract that guaranteed a predictable, upward-climbing pay scale for everyone.

Then, Katy is joined by George Loewenstein, Herbert A. Simon University Professor of Economics and Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University and author of the new book The Opposite of Happiness: How Bad Feelings Make and Break Us. They discuss his seminal research on why we prefer rising salaries, the emotional toll of anticipation and dread, and how a simple change in order of events can flip our decisions.

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit schwab.com/choiceology.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice.

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The books How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, The Strike That Changed New York, and The Opposite of Happiness: How Bad Feelings Make and Break Us are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about their content.

(1026-FK1Y)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We've been taught that oversharing is a major social sin. We cringe at the thought of unloading emotional baggage on a stranger or admitting a flaw to our boss. So most of us default to silence. But what if not sharing is the bigger mistake?

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at some of the surprising costs of keeping quiet, why we misjudge the risks of revealing our true selves, and how opening up—even about our flaws—can make us more trusted, influential, and connected.

Katy speaks with Leslie John, the James. E. Burke Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and the author of the new book Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing. They delve into Leslie's lived experience of navigating a deeply personal family silence and the profound, transformative conversation that unfolded when she finally chose to open up. Then, Katy and Leslie discuss the science behind disclosure, why we are often more vulnerable to online scams than we realize, and what happens to our relationships when we choose to reveal a little more.

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit schwab.com/choiceology.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The books How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, Mindwise: How We Understand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want, A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection, and Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about their content.

0926-897X

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are your instincts talking you out of your own happiness? Every day, we make split-second decisions to avoid the people around us. We put in our earbuds on the train, stare at our phones, and assume the stranger next to us prefers to be left alone. Our brain tells us that reaching out will be awkward or intrusive. But what if those instincts are wrong?

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at the barriers we build between ourselves and the rest of the world, why we might misjudge the social value of a simple conversation, and how connecting more can make us happier and wiser.

Katy speaks with Nick Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the author of the new book A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection. They delve into Nick's lived experience of embracing social connection during a difficult moment in his family's life and the joyful, permanent difference it made. Then, Katy and Nick discuss the science behind our social fears and what happens when we choose not to follow our instincts.

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit schwab.com/choiceology.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The books How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, Mindwise: How We Understand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want, A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection, and Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

0926-1WR3

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.