Perceived control in multiple option scenarios: choice, control, and the make-a-difference metric

To date, no study has compared gradations of make-a-difference metric actual control to perceptions of control. The present study juxtaposed the two, with dependent measures taken before or after participants selected an option to obtain a desired goal (short time period). Almost 500 undergraduates were given one of 10 scenarios, divided by same vs. different options (AA vs. AB, where different letters represent different but unknown time periods), and 2-option vs. 3-, 4-, or 5-option arrangements. Results supported the hypothesis that participants who made a choice between different options (regardless of the number of options) reported higher perceived control than participants who made a choice between identical options (regardless of when they made their choice).