Psychology of Collecting

Study Notes

Reasons for Collecting

Petra Engels holds a record for owning 19,571 erasers, Carol Vaughn has 1,221 bars of soap, and Ralf Shrőder has a collection of 14,502 packets of sugar.
According to Carl Jung, collecting is part of our ancient human history, where humans collected nuts and berries for survival, and this instinct has been passed down through generations.
Historian Philipp Bloom believes that collectors aim to create a legacy that will outlast them, gaining historical importance by bringing together many similar items.

Collecting as a Way to Relive Childhood

Author Steve Roach thinks that people collect things to relive their childhood memories, as they may not have had the means to buy what they wanted as children, but can now afford to collect special items.
Art collector Werner Muensterberger agrees that collecting is linked to childhood, but believes it's driven by a desire to feel safe and secure, similar to how babies hold onto blankets or toys.

The Emotional Aspect of Collecting

Autograph collector Mark Baker collects for the excitement and thrill of the chase, and to feel connected to famous people by meeting them and obtaining their autographs.
Collecting can be an emotional experience, driven by a desire to overcome anxiety, loneliness, or other negative emotions.

Multiple Reasons for Collecting

There is no single reason for collecting, as different people collect for different reasons, including to preserve memories, to create a legacy, or to satisfy emotional needs.

Description

This quiz explores the psychology behind collecting and why people are drawn to accumulating certain items. From ancient human history to modern-day collectors, we delve into the motivations and opinions of psychologists and collectors.