The Preference for Moderation Scale

The influence of mindset abstraction on preference for mixed versus extreme approaches to multigoal pursuits

“…When goals contradict one another, thinking about other goals can undermine the pursuit of a focal goal (Bernecker & Becker, 2021). Therefore, people with a lower tolerance for accepting contradictions in a unitary entity are more likely to prefer extreme choices rather than compromises (Drolet et al, 2021). Integrating insights from prior work, we predicted that those with concrete mindsets will demonstrate a preference for an extreme approach rather than the hypothesized mixed approach preferred by those with abstract mindsets.…”

“…The integrative, simultaneous consideration of both goals may leave people with an abstract mindset conflicted about the two goals. To resolve the conflict, they may apply a principle of moderation and settle for options that satisfy each goal to some extent to simultaneously pursue two active goals (Drolet et al, 2021). Therefore, we predicted that people with an abstract mindset would prefer mixed vice-virtue bundles (e.g., moderately tasty and healthy foods; a moderately priced main dish and beverage) that allow for the simultaneous but partial pursuit of both goals.…”

“…Given that goal pursuit usually requires self-regulation over time, our findings provide a more complete picture of how people manage multiple desirable but conflicting goals across multiple choice occasions. Recently, Drolet et al (2021) proposed that individuals differ in their preference for moderation (PFM) and that preferences predict a moderate strategy choice (i.e., favoring options that hold middle, rather than extreme, positions within a choice context at any time point) when trade-offs include highly valued attributes (e.g., price vs. quality; health vs. taste). PFM relates to a tendency toward an integrative view of information about choice alternatives or attributes.…”