Social Hedonic Editing: People Prefer to Experience Events at the Same Time as Others

Franklin Shaddy, Yanping Tu, Ayelet Fishbach

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Previous research testing the hedonic editing hypothesis examined preferences for the timing of events that happen to the self—asking, for example, whether people prefer to experience two positive or two negative events on the same or different day(s). Here, we examine preferences for the timing of events that happen to the self and to others—social hedonic editing. Across five studies (N = 2,522), we find people prefer to experience a positive or negative event on the same day that (vs. a different day than) another person experiences a similar positive or negative event. Studies 1 and 2 document this “preference for integration” in interpersonal (i.e., for the self and others) but not intrapersonal (i.e., for the self) contexts, Studies 3 and 4 suggest people prefer integration because it increases interpersonal connection, and Study 5 highlights a boundary condition. People do not prefer integration for very emotionally impactful events.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1233-1240
Number of pages8
JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science
Volume12
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • event timing
  • hedonic editing
  • interpersonal connection
  • social decision making

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

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