Compulsive buying: a field study of mood variability during acquisition episodes

Abstract

Empirical investigations of mood variability during actual and 'real time' shopping episodes are absent from the compulsive-buying (CB) literature. A field experiment was therefore conducted with a participant meeting desired clinical and research requirements for identifying CB and a control subject for comparison purposes. Each participant went on four shopping trips and rated various parameters of mood and self-perception prior to, during and after each shopping trip. Each phase (i.e. preshop, shop and post-shop) lasted for 1.5 h, with ratings of mood and self-evaluation taken every 10 min. Results indicate that, although shopping was a guilty pleasure for the CB participant, there were more similarities than differences apparent in terms of mood and self-evaluation between the CB and control participant. The CB participant experienced significant levels of self-dislike during the shopping episodes. In terms of the comparisons between the pre-, during and post-shopping phases, the first 40 minutes of actual shopping seemed to be particularly arousing/exciting for the CB participant. The study is discussed in terms of key methodological requirements for increased validity and reliability in studying CB phenomena and the range of indicated possible cognitive and behavioural interventions.

Money attitudes, credit card and compulsive buying behaviour: a study on Indian consumers

“…Money attitude of compulsive shoppers was associated with symbolic representation money had with improving their self-esteem. Research suggests influence of personality characteristics, biological and social factors on compulsive buying (Faber and O'Guinn, 1992;DeSarbo and Edwards, 1996;Dittmar, 2005;Ureta, 2007;Kellett and Totterdell, 2008). Personality traits like dependence, denial, depression, isolation, excitement seeking, approval seeking tendencies, and low self-esteem influence compulsive tendencies.…”

“…The findings suggest that compulsive buyers would be influenced by not only power but also are likely to be sensitive towards changes in price. Research suggests that compulsive buyers experience positive emotions if they are able to purchase products at low price (Dittmar et al, 1996;Dittmar, 2000;Dittmar and Drury, 2000;Ureta, 2007;Kellett and Totterdell, 2008). They are likely to feel guilty about their purchases as most of the purchases are impulsive and may assuage feeling of stress and depression.…”

Money Attitudes, Materialism, and Compulsiveness: Scale Development and Validation

“…Compulsive people were agreeable, kindhearted, and sympathetic. Kellett and Totterdell (2008) examined the relationship between mood variability and shopping trips among compulsive and noncompulsive shoppers. Compulsive shoppers experienced significant levels of guilt and self-dislike during shopping trips compared with noncompulsive shoppers.…”

“…The research adds to the existing literature on materialism, compulsiveness, and money attitudes. After examining existing literature on compulsiveness, it was assumed that materialism and money attitudes influence compulsive buying as people would use material possessions to show their status in society (Browne & Kaldenberg, 1997;Christenson et al, 1992;Dittmar et al, 2005;Fournier & Richins, 1991;Kellett & Totterdell, 2008;Mowen & Spears, 1999;O'Guinn & Faber, 1989). Possessions help in overcoming feelings of anxiety and inferiority.…”

The Effect of Credit Card Usage on Compulsive Buying

“…Araştırmalar, psikolojik faktörlerin kompulsif davranışı etkilediğini göstermektedir (Nataraajan &Goff, 1992;Kyrios, Frost, & Steketee. 2004;Dittmar, 2004;Faber&O'Guinn, 1992;Kellett & Totterdell, 2008;Miller, 1980;Dittmar&Drury, 2000;Mowen & Spears, 1999). Bazı araştırmalar kompulsifliğin üniversite öğrencileri arasında daha yaygın olduğunu göstermektedir (Roberts & Jones, 2001;Xu, 2008;Yurchisin& Johnson, 2004).…”