‘I’d rather not have known this’: a study of information regret
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47989/ir31ISIC65159Keywords:
information regret, information anxiety, information encountering, deliberate ignorance, information avoidanceAbstract
Introduction. This article introduces the concept of ‘information regret’, which refers to the phenomenon where people regret having received certain information, challenging the typical information science view that obtaining information is always positive. This concept broadens the perspective of information behaviour research by focusing on the negative consequences experienced after information exposure, contrasting with related concepts that focus on avoidance or anxiety before seeking.
Methods. The paper provides a theoretical discussion of information regret, an emotion that arises after information has been acquired. It is contrasted with related concepts (such as information avoidance, denial, and ignorance) that occur at the pre-acquisition stage. Additionally, an exploratory, questionnaire-based study was conducted with 141 participants from the United States and United Kingdom to gain initial insight into the nature, types, and severity of information regret. The questionnaire aimed to determine the situations, time elapsed since the incident, current severity of regret, and the perceived impact of the received information.
Analysis. The analysis categorized the reported incidents by topic, source of information, and whether the information was obtained through active seeking or accidental encounter. These findings, combined with theoretical considerations, were used to derive a comprehensive model that describes how information regret arises from various information acquisition processes.
Results. The reported incidents ranged from trivial to severe life-changing events, typically revolving around infidelity, financial problems, and health, and involved both active seeking and passive encountering from personal and electronic sources. The data showed that the severity of regret is highly personal and has no correlation with the amount of time that has passed since the information was learned. Results from the empirical study inform the information regret model.
Conclusion. Information regret is a unique concept that shifts the focus of information behaviour research to the negative consequences experienced after information acquisition, demonstrating the profound and lasting impact a single piece of information can have. Future research should utilize in-depth interviews and explore the categorization of regret incidents.
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