American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is satisficing?

1. A term meaning that an applicant is satisfied with the approval of his project.

2. Accepting policy options short of maximizing goal attainment.

3. Accepting policy options short to attaining 100% consensus.

4. Both B and C

The correct answer is: Both B and C

Satisficing is a decision-making strategy that recognizes the limitations of human cognition and the complexities of real-world problems. The essence of satisficing is to opt for a solution that meets sufficient criteria or adequately addresses a problem, rather than striving for the absolute best possible outcome, which may be unattainable due to various constraints such as time, resources, or information. In the context of the choices provided, the correct understanding aligns with the idea of accepting policy options that fall short of maximizing goal achievement. This notion directly corresponds to the explanation of satisficing, as it emphasizes the practicality of arriving at a satisfactory solution rather than pursuing perfection. Additionally, the concept of attaining 100% consensus also reflects the principles of satisficing. In many policy environments, seeking complete agreement can be impractical, and policymakers often settle for acceptable solutions that are agreeable to a majority or sufficiently meet the needs of stakeholders, even if they don't achieve full consensus. Thus, the combination of accepting policy options short of maximizing goal attainment and the recognition that complete consensus may not be feasible aligns with the definition of satisficing, making both of these aspects integral to understanding this decision-making strategy.