THE QUASI-ACCELERATION RELATION - SATISFACTION AS A FUNCTION OF THE CHANGE OF VELOCITY OF OUTCOME OVER TIME

Satisfaction with a dynamic outcome is positively related to its value , the change in the value, and the rate of change. Proposed in this ar ticle is another outcome-satisfaction relation: Satisfaction is positi vely related to the change in the rate, or quasi-acceleration (QA). We tested this proposition (a) in a direct comparison paradigm where Ss compared pairs of hypothetical academic or investment values of differ ent QAs unfolding graphically on the computer (Experiment 1) and (b) i n a between-subject paradigm where Ss in different QA conditions indic ated moment-to-moment feelings about a hypothetical investment value c hanging numerically on the computer (Experiment 2). In support of the QA relation, Ss in both experiments indicated greater satisfaction the more positive the QA. Limitations of the present research and implica tions for a relative and temporal perspective on outcome-satisfaction relations are discussed.