Executive summary of 'A closer look at the materialism construct: the antecedents and consequences of materialism and its three facets'

摘要

The prevalence of materialism in Western societies has been subjected to considerable research attention. It has figured prominently during the analysis of recent global economic problems. Critics believe that materialistic values were a significant factor in prompting the financial risk-taking which helped cause the crisis. An established conceptualization of materialism posits that individuals who demonstrate materialistic tendencies are motivated by its different facets which have been defined as: 1. the centrality of possessions and their acquisition to the materialistic individual's life. Such possessions are the source of meaning and structure; 2. happiness, where possessions are perceived as being an imperative source of and significantly contribute to contentment with life and well-being; and 3. success: with this facet, material goods have symbolic value because of their capacity to reflect achievement and project a desired image to others.