<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis_paralysis" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Analysis Paralysis</a> : Analysis paralysis is when the fear of either making an error or forgoing a superior solution outweighs the realistic expectation or potential value of success in a decision made in a timely manner.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-06T16:21:38.043Z
2021-10-06T16:21:38.043Z
gaurs
<p>I think the word you're looking for is 'Indecision'. There isn't one cause, certainly perfectionism is one cause, there can be one or many. See below for an article from Psychology Today which goes into further detail:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/counseling-keys/201707/uncovering-hidden-causes-indecision" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/counseling-keys/201707/uncovering-hidden-causes-indecision</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-20T08:00:18.107Z
As pointed out in [this meta post](https://psychology.meta.stackexchange.com/q/2362/7604), Psychology Today does not strictly provide reliable evidence for answers. Are you able to provide something more reliable (journal articles or something else which cites research)?
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-20T08:04:35.387Z
@ChrisRogers Say what you will about Psychology Today but the author of that article is Kimberley Key, Ph.D, a board-certified counselor, psychotherapist and mediator with her doctoral training and M.A. in marriage and family therapy and counselling & educational psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno (CACREP accredited) and Alliant International University (COAMFTE accredited).

Its safe to assume she didn't pluck her facts out of thin air.
NetServOps
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-20T08:14:32.273Z
While I am not wishing to cast aspersions on the PT article, anyone can write an uncited article while hiding behind their PhD or 2 along with their position within the field. All answers here require reputable links and in this time of false information on the internet, nothing can be corroborated with uncited articles.
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-20T07:30:35.777Z
2021-06-20T07:45:19.660Z
2021-06-20T07:45:19.660Z
NetServOps
<p>I read somewhere about a psychological phenomenon where one is not able to finish a task in time as the entire time is spent in looking for a better or optimum version of a solution - but can't remember the term now.</p>
<p>Can someone please suggest whats it called?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-16T09:22:26.217Z
This sounds like [perfectionism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfectionism_(psychology))
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-26T03:00:46.927Z
We know from the "invisible gorilla experiment" that perception is variable. What aim at determines what we see. What we focus on. What we filter out. It's entirely possible that 2 different people have different definitions of the term "finish".  You may think that the perfectionist never finishes but he may think that your solution is not finished. For example, were the COVID-19 vaccines "finished" before they were made available for use?
Alex Ryan
<cognitive-psychology>
Whats the term used to describe a situation where one does not finish the work as he is always looking for a better solution?
gaurs
# Whats the term used to describe a situation where one does not finish the work as he is always looking for a better solution?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-06-16)

I read somewhere about a psychological phenomenon where one is not able to finish a task in time as the entire time is spent in looking for a better or optimum version of a solution - but can't remember the term now.

Can someone please suggest whats it called?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This sounds like [perfectionism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfectionism_(psychology))  
> **username_2**: We know from the "invisible gorilla experiment" that perception is variable. What aim at determines what we see. What we focus on. What we filter out. It's entirely possible that 2 different people have different definitions of the term "finish".  You may think that the perfectionist never finishes but he may think that your solution is not finished. For example, were the COVID-19 vaccines "finished" before they were made available for use?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2021-10-06. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

[Analysis Paralysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis_paralysis) : Analysis paralysis is when the fear of either making an error or forgoing a superior solution outweighs the realistic expectation or potential value of success in a decision made in a timely manner.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2021-06-20. Score: -1

I think the word you're looking for is 'Indecision'. There isn't one cause, certainly perfectionism is one cause, there can be one or many. See below for an article from Psychology Today which goes into further detail:

<https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/counseling-keys/201707/uncovering-hidden-causes-indecision>

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: As pointed out in [this meta post](https://psychology.meta.stackexchange.com/q/2362/7604), Psychology Today does not strictly provide reliable evidence for answers. Are you able to provide something more reliable (journal articles or something else which cites research)?  
> **username_3**: @ChrisRogers Say what you will about Psychology Today but the author of that article is Kimberley Key, Ph.D, a board-certified counselor, psychotherapist and mediator with her doctoral training and M.A. in marriage and family therapy and counselling & educational psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno (CACREP accredited) and Alliant International University (COAMFTE accredited).  Its safe to assume she didn't pluck her facts out of thin air.  
> **username_1**: While I am not wishing to cast aspersions on the PT article, anyone can write an uncited article while hiding behind their PhD or 2 along with their position within the field. All answers here require reputable links and in this time of false information on the internet, nothing can be corroborated with uncited articles.  

---

