High Price of Materialism

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Psychology Sociology General Studies

The High

Price of Materialism

Adapted from the work of

Prof Tim Kasser,

Knox College, Illinois

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Socrates (B.C. 469-399)

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.

Contentment is natural wealth; luxury, artificial poverty.

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Advertisements

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Advertisements It starts like this ….and ends like this

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Politics of Materialism

“…the American people have got to go about their business. We cannot let the terrorists achieve the objective of frightening our nation to the point where we don’t conduct business, where people don’t shop.”

George W Bush quoted in The New York Times, October 12, 2001

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Corporate Power

In 2000, 52 of the largest 100 economic organizations in the world were not nations, but corporations

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The Power of Materialism

The percentage of incoming American First-year college students reporting it is “very important” or “essential” to be “financially well-off”:

42% in the mid 1960s

75% in the mid 2000s

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The Message of Materialism

You can purchase happiness

It is important to work and consume

Life is meaningful and people are successful to the extent they have money, possessions, and the right image

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Is this true?

Psychological costs?

Social costs?

Ecological costs?

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Psychological Costs

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Diminished Happiness

Higher Materialism:

Anxiety

Depression

Physical Symptoms

Unpleasant emotions

Drug & Alcohol Use

Lower Materialism

Self-actualization

Vitality

Life Satisfaction

Pleasant Emotions

Activity: Youtube and Google: ‘Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping’ and ‘Adbusters’

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