Response To Barry Schwartz's Unnatural Selections

In the article, “Unnatural Selections” by Barry Schwartz, he explains and proves with reasoning, evidence, and appealing to emotion how individuals are influenced by whether a choice is a default or not. The author uses reasoning with the example on page ten that customers would be more likely to make the healthy, as well as less expensive choice if that choice were the “regular” choice instead of in the special default position, specifically with the restaurant T.G I. Fridays. Schwarts states evidence to back up his reasoning, “Although the two portions wouldn’t change in size no matter what they are called, research evidence suggests that labeling the smaller portions “regular” will move far more people to order them if the portions were

labeled as they are now” (10). In addition to reasoning and evidence, the author plays on human emotion to prove his point and convince the reader to be sensitive to the importance of default settings and decision-making. He explains the importance of default settings for mammograms and M.R.I. scans. The lives of our loved ones or ourselves brings up emotion and focus on the importance of being aware of set default choices. Barry Schwartz used many techniques to get his point across and make the reader think about the decisions one is making, or being guided to make, in his or her everyday life.