What is Choices: Definition and 114 Discussions

A choice is the range of different things from which you can choose. The arrival at a choice may incorporate motivators and models. For example, a traveler might choose a route for a journey based on the preference of arriving at a given destination at a specified time. The preferred (and therefore chosen) route can then account for information such as the length of each of the possible routes, the amount of fuel in the vehicle, traffic conditions, etc.
Simple choices might include what to eat for dinner or what to wear on a Saturday morning – choices that have relatively low-impact on the chooser's life overall. More complex choices might involve (for example) what candidate to vote for in an election, what profession to pursue, a life partner, etc. – choices based on multiple influences and having larger ramifications.
Freedom of choice is generally cherished, whereas a severely limited or artificially restricted choice can lead to discomfort with choosing, and possibly an unsatisfactory outcome. In contrast, a choice with excessively numerous options may lead to confusion, reduced satisfaction, regret of the alternatives not taken, and indifference in an unstructured existence;
and the illusion that choosing an object or a course, necessarily leads to the control of that object or course, can cause psychological problems.

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  1. I

    Schools Will undergrad transfer hurt choices of Grad School?

    I'm currently a returning undergrad studying Physics at Penn State but I'm thinking about transferring to a smaller state school (Kutztown). I still have to take 2 years of my major classes to finish. My reason for transferring is to save money. Will graduating from a smaller/less known school...
  2. Z

    Schools Mathematics undergrad university choices help

    I've applied to five different universities (UK) and have started to receive offers. I'm having a hard time to decide which of the university to choose, as before applying I always had the idea in my head that your mathematics education doesn't really matter, and if you're good at maths then you...
  3. F

    32yr old, 1st time student, school choices anxiety

    Hi, I hope someone can chime in and offer some advice. I'm 32 and made the decision to go to college for the first time and earn a Physics degree and then to ultimately pursue a doctorate in a specialty to be decided later. (as of now, from what I can learn on my own, I'm up in the air...
  4. S

    Differences between choices in polling

    I'm a bit of a polling junkie, and in general, I'm pretty good at math, but I can't figure this one out (at least, not yet). As a concrete example, I'm going to use the latest Gallup survey: Obama: 49%. Romney: 44%. Margin of error (95% confidence) = 2%. As I've found out, the...
  5. S

    Simplify Expression: f(x) 1/x^2 -4, x+1 - x^2/x+2

    Homework Statement simplify the expression: f(x) = x+1 - x^2/x+2, 1/x^2 -4 Homework Equations leaving the answer as a quadratic polynomial. 1. = 3x^2 + 4x + 4 2. = x^2-4x + 4 3. x^2 -4x - 4 4. 3x^2 +4x - 4 5. x^2 +4x - 4 6. 3x^2 -4x -4 The...
  6. S

    Kepler's Equation and its choices

    I have a reasonable understanding of Kepler's Equation up to a point. It is written as: M = E - e sin E, where M, E and e are the mean anomaly, eccentric anomaly, and eccentricity, resp. With a few other equations (and a method to solve a transcendental equation), one can use the equation...
  7. J

    Math Grad School Choices: MSc Math or Stats?

    Hi, all. This is my first post. Although my question isn't directly physics related, I hope I will be able to get some feedback, as I haven't had much luck finding career advice forums for math & stats. I recently obtained a BSc with a major in Mathematics. This is not an honours or...
  8. F

    Material choices and Stress Analysis for product im developing for school

    Homework Statement Hello I am designing a product basically called Transfer Board, and need some guidelines on what I should do to get the most accurate and relevant stress analysis result needed to score well. This might take some time for anyone but any help of yours is really appreciated...
  9. G

    Any concerns over recent choices of NRC Chairpeople

    I am talking about Greg Jaczko and now Allison Macfarlane. I do not think they are incapable per say, but I question their technical knowledge. Nuclear reactors are highly engineered systems. Jaczko does have a PhD in physics, but it seems to me his dissertation was quite theoretical...
  10. S

    Which Chemicals Make the Best Fuels for Turbocharged Engines?

    I'm not sure how much background someone reading this may have so I'm going to go over it kinda thoroughly. In a turbocharged engine, when the turbo compresses air into the intake piping, it heats up and becomes less dense. If the air isn't dense, you can't put as much fuel in so you get less...
  11. M

    Mechanical engineering so many Choices?

    Hello all, I am a pre-junior mechanical engineering student at Drexel University. I am a non traditional student working on my second bachelors and absolutely love it. I find myself amazed by the fact at my age (33) I have the opportunity to study full time. I will just say for anyone...
  12. A

    Traditional Pension vs. 401k: Which is the Better Retirement Option?

    Hello everyone, I am interested in views regarding a traditional pension as opposed to a 401k. I am at a crossroads in my life where I can choose to move to a different career with interesting work and higher pay, but where most employers have a 401k retirement plan. My current employer has...
  13. R

    Subject choices for A level - Physics/E.E.

    I might have to change the lists as I'm only recalling them from memory so there may be something I've forgotten. I'm interested in Physics or EE so I'm wanting to pick subjects which would be closely linked to these topics. However the only problem is that I can only pick 1 subject from...
  14. P

    Medical Physics Choices: Purdue, Cincinnati, WSU, UKY, SBU

    Hi! I am an undergraduate physics student, and I am looking to go into Medical Physics. I am not sure if I want to pursue a clinical career or continue into academia after obtaining my PhD in medical physics. I was wondering if anyone had opinions or experiences with these schools, and how...
  15. M

    Advice on different career choices

    Howdy forum, I need some advice on what to do after my physics B.S. Basically this is a what would you do in my shoes question. So these kind of topics usually start with describing one's self (I think). So i'll start there. I'm a physics major transferring into a mid-tier university (UIC)...
  16. M

    Exploring Career Options with a Physics Degree

    Besides engineering, what can I do with a physics degree?
  17. karush

    MHB -aux.10.since he orders custom tiles how many choices does he have

    A tilesetter has 6 different stores where he buys tiles each store has 6 different sizes of tiles of these sizes there are 6 different types surfaces of these surfaces there are 6 different types of designs and last there 6 different types of mortor to use since he orders custom tiles how many...
  18. M

    News (lack of) Hard Choices by President Obama

    Here is an interesting opinion piece from the WSJ that talks about President Obama's lack of heart when it comes to governance. While I obviously have no love for the man's policies and mindset, I think it brings up a greater question: Do you elect an official to respond to the public's every...
  19. S

    Doubts/regrets about choices in life

    Hi, I've been thinking (a bit late in the course of things) that I have been making bad decisions... Bad decision 1# Choosing Physics for my degree 2# Going for teaching (quit after two months) 3# Currently on course for an MRes leading to a Phd...
  20. D

    What to think? doubting some math life choices

    Hi, this is probably just going to be a rant , so turn away if you don't care: I'm taking math courses at my university right now, and I've been self studying math for about a year and a bit more now ( in high school, I only took math up to grade 10.. and it was "essentials" math, I was a bad...
  21. C

    Solve for Student Seating Arrangements in a Classroom with Logic Choices

    Homework Statement In a classroom, there are nine students, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I, sitting in three desk rows with three students in each row. Find their places given that - A and B are as far from each other as possible - A, C and H are at the same distance from the wall S - F is...
  22. N

    Programs Physics PhDs - Overwhelmed by choices

    Hi all, first post! I have a BSc and recently finished an MSc in physics in the UK. Both were unspecialised and despite being fascinated by lots of fields, I have never settled on one area. At the end of my MSc, my supervisor said I "really suited a PhD" and I was offered a project with a...
  23. I

    Which Math Courses Should I Prioritize for Graduate School Applications?

    Hi everyone, I'm entering my junior year of college in the fall. So far I've really pushed through the mathematics course selection, finishing off the calculus sequence, linear algebra and advanced linear algebra, number theory, differential geometry, computational complexity, and logic. The...
  24. J

    Generators for Home Natural Gas: Find Yours Today

    Hi! I am trying to figure out what kind of generator I need for my home. I am the sole owner to the natural gas under my property and I want to run my house on it's own power. What kind of generator do I need for continuous use?
  25. C

    What are the Career Options for an Electrical Engineering Major?

    I'm currently a freshman at the University of North Florida pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. I've yet to start any coursework directly associated with this field so I am speaking from a place of no experience. I just want to plan ahead a bit. When I was in high school I didn't think...
  26. P

    Tough Choices: Making a Career Change After 31

    Tough Choices ? I am fairly new to the site. I am 31 years old, unemployed and have a Bachelors in Political Science. Long story how I got here. I had My own business for the last 7 years, which I closed due to the recession. I have never had a job where I have used my Degree. I have been...
  27. C

    Math Career Choices with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics.

    I am currently a junior in College, and for awhile now, I have had my heart set on going to graduate school to get a masters and PhD, and eventually become a professor. But lately, I have been thinking that Graduate school in math may be a bit too hard and stressful for me. What are some other...
  28. M

    News Possible to make political choices without having a political ideology

    Does anyone believe that it is possible to make political choices without having a political ideology?
  29. C

    Texas undergrad, three choices

    Texas undergrad, choices Some quick background info: I'm about to leave the Marine Corps and go back to Texas. I left Sam Houston State a few years ago with 60 hours towards a BA in Philosophy. I've decided that I want to major in Physics. There are quite a few reasons for that decision, but...
  30. S

    Physics Career choices and concerns for UG applied physics.

    applied physics and cs double major or applied physics/CE minor? according to my advisor, there isn't a whole lot of career choices as Undergrad applied physics major. its either technician, part salesman... or go into grad school... i want to go to grad school in the future but i want to work...
  31. N

    Calculating torque/hp losses from wheel choices

    Hi guys, I am a complete physics dunce so go easy on me, I can wrap my mind around the basic concepts but I need help with this particular proble,. What I'm trying to do is figure out how much torque is lost or gained by changing wheels on a car. I assume we need to ignore the front two...
  32. O

    Choices in Multiverse: Do People Differ?

    Erm, so, I get that subatomic particles behave differently in different universes because they're random, but do people make different choices in different universes as well? Like, if there are some identical universes and I'm standing there deciding whether or not to eat a muffin, might I...
  33. D

    Schools Grad School Choices: Comp Sci at Concordia or Math at UoT?

    I've been offered admissions to Concordia University (not very well known) in comp sci with a little funding, and (maybe) admissions to University of Toronto (a lot more renowned) in math with no funding. Both are a master's (which is a pre-requisite for a PhD in almost all Canadian...
  34. T

    Choosing Your University: London UCL & Ideas

    I'm finishing my GCSES and now I have chosen my A level options (physics, chemistry, biology and maths) and now I'm wondering what universities I should be looking at, at the moment my main option is London UCL. Has anyone got some suggestions, and what is your opinion about London UCL?
  35. R

    Physics or Mathematical Physics: Which Major Should I Choose?

    So I want to go into physics at waterloo university, but I'm stuck with deciding whether I should take physics, or mathematical physics. Mathematical physics seems to be the major in which I'll learn all that beautiful theoretical stuff that I've read about in books (ex: the elegant...
  36. J

    Solving Problem 9: Smaller than Any of the Choices?

    Homework Statement see problem 9 attachment Homework Equations see problem 9 attempt attachment The Attempt at a Solution I come up with a solution that is much smaller than any of the choices. I do not know if I am to assume the orbital is circular. I do not know if there is...
  37. O

    Narrowing down my choices for transferring

    Okay. . .I want to see what my options are. I want to major in Mathematics (pure) and Physics. If I only stay one year I'll have Calculus 1 and maybe Calculus 2 under my belt, that's as far as math goes. I don't even think I'll have any Physics taken care of but after just one year my gpa will...
  38. A

    Engineering Nuclear Engineering and Electrical Engineering; Career Choices

    Hi, I am an undergrad student, currently studying Electrical Engineering. However I have recently developed an interest in Nuclear Engineering upon reading some nuclear physics material in my Modern Physics class. Does anyone have any insight regarding Nuclear Engineering? I don't dislike...
  39. B. Elliott

    Going back to school (So many choices)

    As much as I don't want to make my story too drawn out for the sake of drama, I feel like I have to give it so whoever has an even better idea of my position. Here we go. As long as I can literally remember I've been obsessed with Paleontology, Geology, Astronomy and well, science. I read every...
  40. P

    Most Probable Value of 3 fair choices

    Homework Statement Okay, so the problem asks to show that if you have N number of O2 molecules with spin either 1, 0, or -1, the most probable value for either of those is N/3, assuming they don't interact at all and no B field, so basically 3-sided coins. Homework Equations Asked to start...
  41. V

    Sub-forum browsing, and education choices

    I sometimes glance at the EE forums, but never find anything ineresting. Maybe it's because I don't understand any of it yet? I love the physics, mainly quantuam forum, which I browse daily, sometimes pulling up 2-3 year old threads, and reading them hours on end, momentarily forgetting...
  42. A

    Physics Audio and Physics career choices?

    Hi, I want to get a bachelor's in physics and math, with a master's in engineering... that's the plan, but what I'm really into is high tech audio hardware; monitors, mixers, etc... I'd really like to design this type of technology---does anyone know how I would go about getting to this...
  43. K

    Specialty Choices for Engineering/Science: Jobs, Salary, Masters

    Hello, this is my first post to this forum. Been reading through the career guidance forums the last few days. And now, I'm going to ramble excessively to ultimately ask some simple though not necessarily easily answered questions due to the volatile nature of things in general. Run for...
  44. C

    Explore 3 Career Choices: Astrophysics, Civil Engineering, Business

    Alright so I should probably start thinking about what to do in Uni so here are my 3 choices, and i have some questions about them... I like space,physics, aliens, not so much chem, and law -Astrophysics(is it easy to find a job?(not teaching). i know it pays pretty good) -Civil Engineering(I...
  45. rocomath

    Self-study, good textbook choices? from MIT OCW

    Self-study, good textbook choices? I'm getting kind of bored with my courses atm, so I'm looking for additional math course to study. Textbooks are by DeGroot and Feller, would these textbooks be okay? I don't want to just trust the reviews on Amazon but a lot of them seem to discourage...
  46. S

    Best Classes for Math & Science Career: A High Schooler's Guide

    I am currently a high school student that has a desire to go into a mathematical and scientific career. I was wondering what future classes would benefit me the most in helping me achieve this goal. Here is a outline of the classes I have taken so far. High School Freshman - Physical Science...
  47. S

    Programs Questioning my major and the choices ive made

    I chose physics primarily because i wanted to learn something new and i wanted to research and hopefully find something new. I chose it because it was unique and i had done fairly well in high school to warrant a career in physics. This year that passed was my 4th... but really my third...
  48. J

    Programs Navigating Career Choices After First Year of Undergrad

    So, I just finished up first FIRST YEAR of undergrad a bit ago, and am at somewhat of a crossroads Basically, I am leaning towards pure math, and was wondering how I could make myself more marketable "just in case". The pure math program is pretty flexible, and I can take a bunch of courses...
  49. E

    Pros and cons of MIPS relative to instruction set choices

    could someone help me with this, my ideas are sort of not precise give pros and cons of MIPS relative to these instruction set choices: 1. supporting indexed addressing mode 2. supporting only word-sized access to memory 1. --- dunno, sure if it all were immediate, it would be a mess...
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