Lecture 8 - Consumption and Happiness

Question 1

van Boven & Gilovich (2003) - Materialism Study Uni Students

Answer 1

Describe and evaluate last $100 purchases. Those for experiential made happier than material

Question 2

van Boven & Gilovich (2003) - Materialism Study Community

Answer 2

Think about an experiential and a material purchase made during their lifetime; report which one made you happier.

Results: 57% said experiential
> held across different demographics

Question 3

van Boven & Gilovich (2003) conclusion

Answer 3

> Happiness from consumption depends on what people buy and consume
Consumers should invest more in consumption experiences as opposed to material goods
The governments should take experiences seriously

Question 4

Why do experiential purchases make us happier than material purchases?

Answer 4

> They are more effective at creating social relations
More likely to be incorporated into the self concept
Less likely to trigger social comparisons
Less likely to be praised in monetary terms

Question 5

What was the name of the paper by van Boven and Gilovich that looks at meterialism in people?

Answer 5

To do or to have?

Question 6

What was the name of the authors for the paper on materialism called, ‘To do or to have?’

Answer 6

van Boven and Gilovich