Title: The Psychology of Regret | Psychology Today
Headings: The Psychology of Regret
Melanie Greenberg Ph.D.
The Psychology of Regret
Should we really aim to live our lives with no regrets?
What is Regret?
Do Men and Women Differ in The Things They Regret?
Do People Living in the U.S. Experience Regret More Than in Other Cultures?
Do People Experience More Regret When They Look Back Over Long Periods?
Is There Any Value in Regret?
Can Regret Have Long-Term Effects on Well-Being?
What is the Cognitive Basis of Regret?
Can Advertisers Harness the Power of Regret?
What Can We Do to Cope With Regret?
New Developments in Regret Research

Content: Do Men and Women Differ in The Things They Regret? Studies on gender differences in regret show the increased value that women put on relationships and how women may have more difficulty disengaging attention from past relationships. Overall, 44 percent of women surveyed in one study had romantic regrets, versus just 19 percent of men. This result may also reflect men’s greater tendency to replace lost relationships quickly with new partners. In this study, those not currently in a relationship had, perhaps understandably, more regret over past ones. Do People Living in the U.S. Experience Regret More Than in Other Cultures? Research studies have compared the experience of regret in cultures such as the U.S., where individuals have more choice over their life's course, compared to more collectivist cultures, where family have much more control over an individual's life choices. Not surprisingly, regret is much more commonly experienced and reported to have more positive aspects by young people in the U.S. People in collectivist cultures, which deemphasize individual choice, have less of a basis for blaming themselves for negative outcomes. They may feel as if they had no other choice—so they may as well accept the situation and make the best of it. Do People Experience More Regret When They Look Back Over Long Periods?