Keuzestilstand

Keuzestilstand is a term used in Dutch to describe decision paralysis that arises when an abundance of options makes it difficult to choose. Derived from the words keuze (choice) and stilstand (standstill), the concept is closely related to the paradox of choice in consumer psychology.

Causes include cognitive overload from processing many alternatives, fear of making the wrong choice and regret, perceived risk, and dwindling motivation due to decision fatigue. Keuzestilstand can appear in consumer contexts (shopping, product features), organizational settings (policy or project selection), and everyday life decisions.

Common manifestations are prolonged delays, repeated comparisons, avoidance of decisionmaking, and opting to postpone until a clearer criterion emerges. Evidence from experiments on choice overload indicates that adding more options can lower the likelihood of a choice and decrease satisfaction, though effects vary with context and presentation.

To counter keuzestilstand, individuals and organizations use strategies such as reducing options, establishing defaults, using filtering tools, framing choices clearly, and adopting satisficing rather than maximizing approaches. While not universal, these methods aim to restore decisional momentum and improve perceived outcomes.