Abstract:  In the current study of the relationship between regret and responsibility, the superior outcomes of foregone options are usually known. The aim of this study was to examine the possible changes in the relationship between the two in the absence of this outcome, and to clarify the role of outcome evaluation and cognitive dissonance. Results showed that when people are aware that another alternative would have been better, they tend to be more dissatisfied with the chosen option and more pleased with the foregone one. In this case, participants may have more cognitive dissonance, their responsibility will amplify regret. Nevertheless, when the superior outcome of the foregone option is unknown, people will suppress cognitive dissonance by raising the evaluation of existing result and reducing the foregone outcome’ s evaluation. Under such circumstances, personal responsibility may curb regret following a negative outcome. Mediation analysis suggested that cognitive dissonance could be an intermediary between outcome evaluation and regret.

Key words: experienced regret, responsibility, superior outcome of the foregone option, outcome evaluation, cognitive dissonance