Indicators of Materialism in Children's Free Speech: Age and Gender Comparisons

Abstract

Many leading authorities contend that “materialism,” the disposition to own and consume products, is a basic core value of the contemporary culture of the United States. Little is known, however, regarding the manner in which children's interest in consumer products changes with age. This article examines this and related issues, citing empirical evidence of age‐ and gender‐based patterns with respect to materialism as evidenced by reference to consumer products in children's conversations with peers.

An exploratory investigation into the role of extrinsic factors in consumer decision-making for interior soft furnishings

“…In a materialistic world, the home environment may become a formative agent towards the adoption of a materialistic value system and may contribute to the persuasive influence of aspirational factors on our buyer decisions. It may even encourage an emphasis on possessions to reflect socio economic status as a token of our extended selves and financial well-being (Ahuvia & Wong, 2002;Lipscomb, 1988). Secondary socialization thus involves processes that allow us to maintain and/or refine our self-concepts (Kaiser, 1985:155).…”

“…Consumer socialization is a life long process whereby people acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes relevant to their functioning as consumers in the marketplace (Hawkins et al, 2001:212;Lipscomb, 1988). Consumer socialization is inevitably intertwined with socialization in the broader sense, which refers to our interaction with other beings in a social context.…”

“…Secondly, exclusive, sophisticated interior objects may be considered extravagant and a luxury, to the extent that ownership of such products could be perceived as indicative of wealth (Bennington, 2002: 169;Buijzen & Valkenburg, 2003;Du Plessis & Rousseau, 1999:97). Ownership of interior goods -or lack thereof -may further contribute to envy and extravagance, which are typical of a materialistic society (Flouri, 1999;Lipscomb, 1988). Individuals who depend on, or desire the acceptance of others, may be obliged to abide by collective norms that require the possession of goods that would support a certain image (Tatzel, 2002) or would compensate for personal shortcomings (Flouri, 1999).…”

“…Intentional consumption behaviour and the use of surrogate indicators are typical of a materialistic value system (Kasser & Kasser, 2001). Lipscomb (1988) describes materialism, which is even referred to as a socalled consumption ethos, as a basic core value of contemporary culture in the USA (Watson, 2003). Purohit and Srivastava (2001) explain that, for most products, consumers are unable to identify the quality of competing products, especially when goods are concealed by their wrapping or when the properties only become noticeable during the actual use of products (e.g.…”

Una revisión del constructo consumo simbólico desde la perspectiva de la experiencia turística

“…Debido a la necesidad de resumir la gran cantidad de estudios que se centran en los mencionados puntos de vista del análisis del consumo simbólico, en la tabla 1, y posteriormente en la Figura 1, se recogen de forma ordenada las investigaciones más importantes. Orizo, 1979Orizo, , 1982Cueto, 1981;Naredo, 1981;Martín, 1982;Castillo, 1987;Alonso, 1985Alonso, , 1986Alonso, , 1990 Análisis del materialismo como parte de la personalidad Belk, 1985;Belk, 1987;Lipscomb, 1988;Dawson, 1988;Dawson y Bamossy, 1991;Ahuvia y Wong, 1995;Schroeder y Dugal, 1995;Sirgy et al, 1995Sirgy et al, , 1998La Barbera y Gurhan, 1997;Ahuvia et al, 2005;Shrum, et al, 2013. Análisis del materialismo como valor Richins y Dowson, 1992;Richins, 1994aRichins, , 1994bRichins, , 1997Mick, 1996;Burroughs y Rindfleish, 1997Wang y Wallendorf, 2003Lerman y Maxwell, 2006;Fenollar y Ruíz, 2006;Sangkhawasi y Johri, 2007;Hartman, 2012.…”