Second-order decisions

Second-order decisions are decisions about the appropriate strategy for reducing the problems associated with making (first-order) decisions. For instance, second-order decisions may involve deciding when to decide and when not to decide, how much time to spend deciding, and what inputs to seek when deciding something.

This term was introduced in a joint paper titled Second-Order Decisions by Cass Sunstein and Edna Ullmann-Margalit.

Barry Schwartz, in his book The Paradox of Choice, suggests the use of second-order decisions as a way to reduce the amount of effort we spend in decision-making.