“I almost had to wait.”— LOUIS XIV … the science of why we hate to wait…

Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Waiting: The Agonizing Truth Revealed by Science…

From the DMV to the doc's office, we've all felt the laborious pain of waiting.

But why does it drive us nuts?

Science finally has the answer, and it's not just because the guy in front of you insists on filling out forms with a quill pen…

Tech has spoiled us with instant gratification. We’re all royalty now.

Consequently, the experience of waiting has emerged as a universally despised and dreaded experience.

And, yet, waiting is an inevitable part of life, whether we’re stuck in traffic… or eagerly anticipating the results of an election.

Annabelle Roberts, an assistant marketing professor at Texas McCombs, delves into this common human experience through her insightful research.

Closer look: Decision-making and waiting…

Roberts’ studies, detailed in two new papers listed below, explains the dynamics of impatience vs. patience. Her research reveals the significant role of finality and closure in managing our waiting experiences.

Annabelle’s work also suggests what corporations can do to make waiting less annoying.

“Everyone has had this experience of getting overly frustrated while they’re waiting.” Annabelle Roberts

Roberts’ research centers on the impact of the desire for closure on our patience levels.

In one study, she collaborates with Alex Imas and Ayelet Fishbach from the University of Chicago to explore and explain how this need for finality influences our decisions, particularly when we’re faced with a choice of receiving a reward now versus later…

Turns out, we humans have an inbuilt desire to get things done and dusted ASAP.

That's why waiting around feels like we're stuck in molasses. Several studies found that the closer we get to our goal, the more we start twitching with impatience. Even a few seconds of delay can send us into a tailspin. No wonder rush hour traffic turns into a circus.

So, why does the last leg of the journey feel like the longest marathon? It's all about how we focus on the negatives as we approach the finish line. You know, like obsessing over wasted time or the uncomfortable chair you're stuck in. Thanks, brain, for that reality check.

Dr. Roberts said:

“The need for goal closure helps explain the counterintuitive preference for working more sooner or paying more sooner.

We find that impatience isn’t just about this myopic desire for the reward.

It’s also about crossing goals off their list, not having the goal hanging over them.”

One study even dared to ask people about waiting for the 2020 U.S. presidential election results. Surprise, surprise—the last day was a real nail-biter for folks. Even if you knew your candidate was toast, you just wanted the saga to end already. Talk about craving closure!

And speaking of closure, it turns out that's the secret sauce behind our impatience.

The bottom line is that human beings have a profound desire for closure.

Dr Roberts explained:

“Even for those who expected their candidate wasn’t going to win, they just wanted to get this over with.

This nicely demonstrates the desire for closure and how it plays out in the experience of waiting.”

Another bunch of experiments found that we'll jump through hoops to get things wrapped up quicker. Like, we're willing to work more or shell out extra cash if it means we can put an end to the waiting game. Because let's face it, closure beats uncertainty any day.

So next time you're stuck twiddling your thumbs, just remember: it's not you, it's your brain that is wired for closure.

Humans loathe uncertainty, and ambiguous loss. Now, if only we could fast-forward through those DMV lines...

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

RESEARCH:

Roberts, A. R., & Fishbach, A. (2023). Impatience Over Time. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506231209002

Roberts, A. R., Imas, A., & Fishbach, A. (2023). Can’t wait to pay: The desire for goal closure increases impatience for costs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000367