i need help plz help me?

Question

Are children generally happier when they have to choose among fewer choices, or given no choice at all? From this question i came up with hypothesis. if you have too many choices then you can tend to get stressed out and wonder if you made the right choice among the millions of choices that you have. Just like the psychologists say that when you give children too many cereals to choose from, for example they will get very stressed out and unhappy

That is my hypothesis and i came up with independent variable and dependnt variable. Can you guys check if i came up with right stuff???

I think giving them no choices (independent variable) causes children to be happier then choosing from two different types of cereals where they can get stressed out and feel unhappy (depedent variable).

Answer 1

Vary the choices. As one person said, they will choose the one the want, like the sweetest (or worst for them), so allow two or three choices, sometimes omitting the ones you don't want them to have all the time. That way, they feel a little empowered in making their own choice, and you can control what they have. - ALSO... happiness is relative. If you want them to be "fat dumb and happy", let them eat candy all day, sleep when they feel like it and take away school. A lot of happiness comes from having parents involved in the decisions, even if some of those decisions aren't the most popular at the time. Respect is gained from parenting properly, and usually that makes a child feel safer, less stressed, etc.

Answer 2

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MAKING CHOICES
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I do think that there is a happy medium, a middle ground, between none and too many choices. The methadology and the example given seem like extremes.

Children may be appear to be "happier" with no choice because they are not required to think or put effort into anything. On the same token, too many choices is frustrating, even for adults. But is that the most important or only way for a child to be happy?

Having a few choices is the much better, I think, depending on the individual child and the age. Like for young children, 2 is a good number. When they do well with this, you can increase the number to 3 or whatever is appropriate. If you are uncomfortable with 3 or think 1 or 2 more is better, then you can offer guidance in choosing.

Why several choices are beneficial?:

--Children can express individuality by having options and choosing among them. They will have to think, decide and can why one choice is better than the other.

--Children will learn to use critical thinking and problem-solving, necessary skills that will be used for the rest of their lives. Making choices and seeing the consequences or results will reinforce these skills as well as provide a reference base for future decisions.

--If children are not given choices, and told what to do all the time, they may never expect to have choices, and not to know what to do when they have them. They may adopt or transfer this type of behavior in other aspects of life, be quiet and withdrawn, unsure of themselves, and expect others to make choices for them.

--If children are not used to considering options, and making chioces, they may be more prone to peer pressure and to "follow along with the crowd", simple because they feel they don't have choices. They may be easily led astray by others, simple because they may not feel they can "speak up".

--Children that are given orders (no options), rather than choices, will reach an age or time when they realize that they don't always like the choices that others have or will make for them, there are other alternatives, and that they do have the right to make choices for themselves.

They may be very adamant or rebellious when trying to exercise their right to choice. If they do not have the past experience in choosing and seeing the consequences, they may tend to make bad choices. To assert their independence, they may continue to make these choices (no matter what the results) just for the sake of making "their own decisions".


Making choices builds individuality, self-esteem and critical thinking. Helping the child with decision-making and your guidance and experience allows them to learn while doing it. If a bad choice is made, they will see the consequences and it is a lesson learned that could be applied to other situations in the future. If you explain to them the pros and cons of decisions they see you make or teach them to use that as a method for their own decision making, they will gain the experience to make good choices their whole life.

Answer 3

I agree that too many choices cause stress. However, choices are necessary, and we need to learn how to make them. You should teach children the elimination process. For example:

Cereal:
First decide Hot? or Cold?
Then decide Healthy? or Fun?
Then decide Fruity? or Plain?
Etc. Etc. Etc.

This way, you only have two choices at any given time. This eliminates looking at the whole isle as one massive cereal attack.

Happy choosing!

Answer 4

I can't tell for sure if your variables are correct. They should be:

independent: number of choices offered

dependent: child's reaction


I would say 2-3 choices would give you the most positive response from the children.

Answer 5

I dont think children become stressed over cereal. if there is cereal in the cupboard and their parents say "go eat breakfast" they will just choose what they want. They may even make toast or waffles. Children choose which ever they want, they are happier with choices.

Answer 6

My daughter usually picks out which cereal she wants. Then she eats it. Now on the other side, papa who is 90, likes 6 or 7 cereals mixed together. We buy them all at 1 time, mix them all together and then put the cereal in 5 gallen tubs. Actually, it taste quite good. When my mom and friend visit, they enjoy it. And so does my 9 yr old.

Answer 7

You are correct about the independent variable - no choices.
However, I disagree on your dependent variable. In general the dependent variable is their mood.

So I'd rephrase your statement to read, "I think giving them no choices (independent variable) causes children's mood (dependent variable) to change." As for your opinions as to whether moods change positively or negatively, I'd state that in the hypothesis.

Answer 8

People need to feel they have control over their lives. This is one of the fundamental emotional needs we all have. It's why liberty is so imporant to us.

If you give your children no choices, then they have no control. Furthermore, they don't learn to make choices. Do you want them to grow up being unable to make a decision?

You don't have to overwhelm them with options. But if you offer a few choices, and let the variety of those choices grow over time, you'll have emotionally healthier kids.

Answer 9

having too many choice is just as bad as having no choice at all, but have a few simple choices is the best all the way around.

Answer 10

i think you data and observations are right. its like too many food items to eat and we need to choose some. for adults choice can be good but for little kids not much choice is good.