The Positive Side of Maximization: Linking Maximization Tendency With Meaning in Life Through Time Perspectives

Abstract

The negative influence of maximization on well-being, that is, the maximization paradox, has received increased attention. However, few studies have shown the link between maximization tendency and meaning in life, which is one type of well-being, and no empirical literature has examined the mechanisms between them. We conducted an online survey in China to test the relationship between maximization tendency and meaning in life. Participants (N=2,987) were invited to report their maximization, time perspective, meaning in life, and other control variables and demographic variables. Multi-mediation path analysis was adopted in the data analysis. The results revealed that maximization was positively associated with meaning in life, which confirmed the positive aspect of the maximization tendency. Further analyses indicated that the time perspectives of past-positive and future mediated the positive relationship between maximization and meaning in life. In contrast, a present-fatalistic time perspective was a suppressor in the positive relationship. Our findings suggest that the maximization tendency has a positive aspect rather than the overall maximization paradox. An important means of elevating meaning in life is to encourage the time perspective of past-positive and future-oriented and reduce the present-fatalistic time perspective.

Maximization strategies in relationship and career enhances life satisfaction through meaning making among established adults in South Korea

“…For example, in the abovementioned meta-analytic study, general maximization showed stronger detrimental effects on hedonic indicators of well-being such as life satisfaction than eudaimonic indicators of well-being such as meaning in life [ 15 ]. However, previous research which examined the relationship between maximization and well-being has either measured maximization as a whole without differentiating maximization goal and strategy (e.g., [ 17 , 18 ]), or have only measured only one type of well-being (either hedonic or eudaimonic) (e.g., [ 19 ]), which makes it difficult to know the specific relationship between maximization dimensions and hedonic/eudaimonic indicators of well-being. In our study, we focus on the dimension of maximization strategy and its relationship between two representative indicators of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, life satisfaction and meaning in life, respectively.…”

“…While there is a scarcity of research on the relationship between maximization and meaning in the literature, few studies have begun to examine this link. For example, two studies conducted with cross-sectional adult samples from a collectivist culture (i.e., Filipino and Chinese college students) have found that maximization was positively associated with both search for, and presence of meaning in life [ 31 ], and with overall meaning in life [ 18 ]. A recent study with Chinese adult samples further tested the causal relationship between maximization and meaning with cross-sectional, longitudinal, and experimental designs and found that maximization tendency positively predicted meaning in life consistently across methods [ 32 ].…”

When “good enough” is not good enough: How maximizing benefits financial well‐being

“…Based on goal‐setting theory, we propose two main reasons why individuals who maximize are more likely to display higher financial self‐control. First, maximizing decision‐makers want to make the “best” decision from a range of alternatives (Schwartz et al, 2002), and to satisfy their high standards, these individuals will tend to focus on the future consequences of current and future actions in their decision‐making process (Ma et al, 2021; Misuraca et al, 2016; Zhu et al, 2017). As a result, individuals with maximizing tendencies are less likely to display impulsive buying behavior (Ding et al, 2023).…”

Adaptive aspects of maximizing in times of COVID-19: coping efforts linking maximization to well-being

“…But do maximizing tendencies always play a negative role in one's well-being? In recent years, some researchers have begun to explore novel and positive aspects of maximizing tendencies and their positive effects on well-being (e.g., Kokkoris, 2016;Misuraca et al, 2016;Zhu et al, 2017;Peng et al, 2018;Schei et al, 2020;Brannon, 2021;Ma et al, 2021;Li et al, 2023). They highlighted maximizers' greater level of future-oriented thinking (Misuraca et al, 2016;Zhu et al, 2017) and intrinsic and achievement motivation (Lai, 2011;Peng et al, 2018), qualities which have been regarded as valuable predictors of adaptability (e.g., Griffin and Hesketh, 2005;Bell and Kozlowski, 2008;Stokes et al, 2010;Anagnostopoulos and Griva, 2012).…”

“…They highlighted maximizers' greater level of future-oriented thinking (Misuraca et al, 2016;Zhu et al, 2017) and intrinsic and achievement motivation (Lai, 2011;Peng et al, 2018), qualities which have been regarded as valuable predictors of adaptability (e.g., Griffin and Hesketh, 2005;Bell and Kozlowski, 2008;Stokes et al, 2010;Anagnostopoulos and Griva, 2012). For example, Ma et al (2021) found that the past-positive and future-time perspectives served as mediators of the positive relationship between maximization and meaning in life. In addition, in a recent study by Peng et al (2018), feelings of regret and achievement motivation were considered to be significant intervening variables in the relationship between maximization and subjective well-being.…”