Podcast
Questions and Answers
Thorstein Veblen's notion of 'conspicuous consumption' relates to the idea of social ______ and distinction.
Thorstein Veblen's notion of 'conspicuous consumption' relates to the idea of social ______ and distinction.
status
According to Danny Miller, consumption is not only driven by individual greed, but also by acts of love and ______ involving the purchase of commodities.
According to Danny Miller, consumption is not only driven by individual greed, but also by acts of love and ______ involving the purchase of commodities.
devotion
Contemporary studies focus on how consumers creatively rework the products they buy, generating new ______ in the process.
Contemporary studies focus on how consumers creatively rework the products they buy, generating new ______ in the process.
meanings
Gift-buying is significant in rituals such as Christmas and ______.
Gift-buying is significant in rituals such as Christmas and ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Much of the work on active and creative consumption has been ethnographic in nature, involving detailed fieldwork and ______.
Much of the work on active and creative consumption has been ethnographic in nature, involving detailed fieldwork and ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Consumption has become a major focus of interest for geographers and other social scientists over the last couple of decades due to its previous neglect in favor of __________.
Consumption has become a major focus of interest for geographers and other social scientists over the last couple of decades due to its previous neglect in favor of __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Modern market societies are characterized by a '__________' culture organized around individual choice in the marketplace.
Modern market societies are characterized by a '__________' culture organized around individual choice in the marketplace.
Signup and view all the answers
Consumption plays a central role in the reproduction of social and __________ life.
Consumption plays a central role in the reproduction of social and __________ life.
Signup and view all the answers
Karl Marx and Herbert Marcuse viewed consumption as the triumph of market exchange and industrial society over deeper human __________.
Karl Marx and Herbert Marcuse viewed consumption as the triumph of market exchange and industrial society over deeper human __________.
Signup and view all the answers
In capitalist societies, needs and wants are often artificially created and __________, leading to excessive consumption.
In capitalist societies, needs and wants are often artificially created and __________, leading to excessive consumption.
Signup and view all the answers
Studies have focused on the role of __________ in stimulating demand for products.
Studies have focused on the role of __________ in stimulating demand for products.
Signup and view all the answers
The passive consumer concept is influenced by __________, which emphasizes their powerlessness amid countless signs and meanings.
The passive consumer concept is influenced by __________, which emphasizes their powerlessness amid countless signs and meanings.
Signup and view all the answers
A second view of consumption emphasizes the __________ role of consumers in utilizing things for their own ends.
A second view of consumption emphasizes the __________ role of consumers in utilizing things for their own ends.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Consumption and Culture
- Consumption is a major area of study in geography and social sciences, now viewed as crucial to social and cultural reproduction.
- Historically, consumption was seen as less important than production.
- Three key aspects of modern consumption: central to social and cultural reproduction, characterized by consumer culture and individual choice in the marketplace, and demonstrating the link between culture and economic processes.
Two Perspectives on Consumption
- First perspective: Consumption signifies the dominance of economic forces over human values. Capitalism artificially creates needs and desires, leading to excessive consumption. Advertising manipulates consumers. Postmodernism emphasizes how consumers are powerless in a sea of signs and meanings.
- Second perspective: Consumers actively shape the meaning of consumption. Consumption and leisure build social status and distinction (e.g., Veblen's "conspicuous consumption," Bourdieu's cultural capital). Contemporary studies show consumers creatively reinterpret commodities. Consumption is rooted in social relationships, like family and friendship, illustrating the importance of love and devotion in consumption. Gift-giving around holidays is a good example. Consumption is an outlet for individuality and creativity, contrasting with work's monotony and drudgery.
Key Figures
- Karl Marx
- Herbert Marcuse
- Thorstein Veblen
- Pierre Bourdieu
- Danny Miller
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the dynamic relationship between consumption, cultural reproduction, and economic processes in modern society. This quiz delves into two perspectives on consumption, examining how economic forces may dominate human values while also acknowledging the active role of consumers. Join us to understand the implications of consumption in our social fabric.
