Material Self - GESS Midterms

Materialistic Self/ Economic Self

It refers to our bodies, clothes, immediate family, ownership and home.

William James

He categorized the material self into 3 categories.

Material Self
Social Self
Spiritual Self

Three Categories of Material Self according to William James

Material Self

Tangible objects, ownership, and entities are clearly an intimate part of who we are. (Ex. My Phone, My Car, My Room)

Anderson & Chen (2002)

According to them, the SOCIAL SELF is about how we are regarded and recognized by others. It includes individuals that we regard as "ours". (Ex. Parents, Siblings, Close Friends)

Spiritual Self

It refers to our emotions, attitudes, and beliefs. (Ex. We say things like "I can't buy that")

Belk (1988)

According to him, we regard our possession as part of ourselves. We are what we have and what we possess.

Consumer Psychology

A study that deals with activities that directly involved in selecting, obtaining, and using products and services, and ideas to satisfy needs and desires, including decision processes that precede and follow these actions.

Davis and Palladino (1995)

They defined and had an idea about CONSUMER PSYCHOLOGY

Consumer Behavior

The study of the buying units and exchange processes involved in acquiring, consuming and disposing of goods, services, experiences and ideas.

Mowen (1995)

Defined and had an idea about the CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

a. Consumers do not differ from others; their own purchasing behaviors would also vary from one product category to another.

Which of the following does not belong to the Nature of Consumer Behavior?

a. Consumers do not differ from others; their own purchasing behaviors would also vary from one product category to another.
b. Consumers differ from others; their own purchasing behaviors would also vary from one product category to another.
c. Consumers buying and consumption behavior for the same product would often vary because of the present situation they are in
d. The number of effort and amount of time spent in deciding.

Possessions

Tell a lot about their status symbol. It is one's sense of self and identity that is influential on how an individual chooses to purchase his/her wants and how he/she makes economic decisions that will address his/her personal and social needs.

b. Time

All are factors that influence our decision to buy. EXCEPT one.

a. Availability of items and services
b. time
c. financial constraints
d. the influence of family and friends

NEEDS or WANTS

The most important factor that could affect our decision in buying items and services is whether it will fall under ________ or _________

Wants

Luxuries. Buying for reasons that do not warrant necessity

Needs

Important for daily living, and survival. Food, clothing, shelter and other basic needs that is purchased out of necessity.

Utility and Significance

What are the two things that people should consider in the process of acquiring material goods?

Utility

Concerned with how things serve a practical purpose

Significance

Concerned with the meaning assigned to the object. Importance. How objects become powerful symbols or icons of habit and ritual which can be quite separate from their primary function

Materialism and Happiness --
Value of Materialism (Fournier & Richins, 1991)

- Pursuit of possessions and materialism's role in consumption choices reflects materialism as value
- The importance of acquisition to reach satisfaction
- impossible to achieve happiness

Possessions and Happiness

- We tend to devote time and money for the things we want to buy (Boven, 2005)
- We give importance to buying more (Rinchins, 2003)
- And in effect, we experience "Joyless material possessions resulting in comfort but not pleasure." (Nicolao et al, 2009)

Watson (2003)

According to him, Materialists believe that acquiring things will make them happier and they tend to act on this belief by buying more.

Problems with Consumerism

- Intrusive
- Manipulative
- Cannot provide many of the things that are important to us
- Restricts our choices and lives
- Affects our worldviews and characters
- Unsustainable

Younger generation

most vulnerable, for they define happiness as to buying something.

Addiction

Consumption has become an ______ that many people have forgotten that there are things in life that can bring true happiness.

Experimental Purchases

What people should invest?

Material Purchases

- Tangible
- Lasts a couple of day
- Take up physical space
- Instant pleasure
(Nicolao et al, 2009)

- Social ills
- Guilty feelings
(Richins, 2012)

Experimental Purchases

- Intangible
- Lasts for a lifetime
- Provide knowledge
- Lasting pleasure
(Nicolao et al, 2009)

- Cannot be acquired if not available ( Boven & Gilovich, 2005)

- Social relationships
- Less advantageous comparison ( Boven, 2005)

Experiences

According to Boven (2005), some material possessions can be perceived as ________

Sentimental Value

According to Boven & Gilovich (2003), material possessions with ________________ can provide more happiness.

1. Exercising intellectual independence
2. Consume less, Live more

Trap of Consumerism/ Materialism can be avoided by:

Responsible Consumerism/ Ethical Consumerism

Customers make intentional purchases of products, opting for those that have minimal to no negative impact on humans, animals, and the environment.

Sustainable Development

Human societies must live and meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Brundtland Report in 1987

For the first time that the "official" definition of sustainable development was developed.

Traits/Characteristic of a Responsible Consumer

1. Look at where the products are made
2. Buy sustainably, locally, or DIY
3. Know the supply chain policy of brands
4. Campaign for worker's rights
5. Consume less