Consumption Pace

What it is

Galak, Kruger and Loewenstein found that people choosing their own rate tend to go too quickly and tire of the experience sooner than at a slower rate, and that they underestimate the value of breaks between episodes. Participants who set their own pace enjoyed the experience less than participants given a slower one.

In effect

In the article on advent calendars, the calendar assigns one door a day and so sets a slower pace than most people would choose.

What it does not say

It describes a tendency, not a rule for every pleasure. The studies concern short, repeated experiences and do not set an ideal pace.

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