Material/Economic Self (CE1A-Group-2) PDF

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Le on GROUP 2 - BSCE 1A ar o do in ,P ad MATERIAL eña n o, Gra florida, Rorog r SELF uante e, G u bl ez a , f Z A m a or a  OVERVIEW The "material/economic self" refers to how our identities and self-perceptions are influenced by our economic circumstances and material possessions. In an age dominated by consumerism, understanding this relationship is crucial. This presentation will explore how factors like wealth, social status, and consumer behavior shape our sense of self, highlighting the implications for individuals and society as a whole. INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY 1. IF YOU WERE GIVEN A CREDIT CARD WITH NO LIMIT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BUY? LIST AS MANY AS YOU WANT. 2. FROM YOUR LIST, WHICH AMONG THEM DO YOU LIKE THE MOST? WHY? 3. WHICH AMONG THEM DO YOU CONSIDER IMPORTANT? WHY? INTRODUCTORY QUESTION “I SHOP, THEREFORE I AM" WHAT DOES THE STATEMENT MEAN?  THE MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF Material Self Possessions and Special Cases of the Extended Self Extended Self PART 1 PART 2  THE MATERIAL SELF WILLIAM JAMES THE MATERIAL SELF “A man’s self is the sum total that he can call his” if they grew, the owners will feel triumphant, if they faded, people felt a part of them was dying.  THE MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF All the physical elements that reflect who a person is: possessions, body, cars, family, home, clothes. What you are clothes for, interest you, what you spend for.  THE MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF The material self is constituted by bodies, clothes, immediate family, and home. Because of our investments of self within these things is why we’re most deeply affected. The more we invest, the more we are inevitably attached to them.  THE MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF WITH THE MATERIAL SELF, OBJECTS OR POSSESSIONS CAN MAKE AND/OR SHOW WHAT THAT PERSON IS MADE OF. Ex: Cash!  THE MATERIAL/ ECONOMIC SELF Psychologist who study the impact of wealth and inequality on human behavior have found that money can powerfully influence our thoughts and actions in ways that we're often not aware of, no matter Curtis (2017) manifested that cash what economic circumstances are can have serious bearing on one's (Greogoire, 2014) belief regarding the way a person views himself/herself. EVIDENCES BEHIND THE IDEA THAT MONEY CAN TRULY CHANGE PEOPLE EVIDENCES BEHIND THE IDEA THAT MONEY CAN TRULY CHANGE PEOPLE a. Social and Business Value b. Self-sufficiency & Service c. Self-view d. Ethics e. Addiction A. SOCIAL AND BUSINESS VALUE (Heyman & Ariely, 2004) SOCIAL a task is seen as a worthy There are 2 motivations investment of time and part of for a given task: his/her social duty by recognizing its Social value. MONEY However, when money is offered as a motivation, business value is considered more than the social aspect. B. SELF-SUFFICIENCY & SERVICE Those who are conscious of money typically strive money conscious individuals are more self sufficient than to be more self-sufficient their peers, particularly when than those whom money money is made focus. isn't a priority.  C. SELF-VIEW The amount earned can have an effect on how a person views himself and others around him.  C. SELF-VIEW Difference between classes are based upon identity The wealthiest people are and genetics rather than those with the deepest circumstances sense of class essentialism Class Essentialism!  C. SELF-VIEW Wealth was part of Genes and Identity. Social classes was not They are entitled to wealth based upon personal circumstances & related to genes, that actions. anyone could be rich & Life is fair & people get what they vice-versa. deserve Rich People Believe That Poor People Believe That  D. ETHICS Those who perceive themselves to be in a higher class were the most likely to engage in unethical behavior, particularly when a symbol of wealth was introduced.  D. ETHICS idea that suggests that individuals who have the most money or occupy higher classes are more likely to take a "what's in it for me?" attitude. (Piff, 2012) Self Interest Maximization  E. ADDICTION Many addictions begin because a person gets a positive response from a certain type of behavior. Whether it's a happy feeling that one gets from shopping or a thrill that comes from gambling, actively seeking out that behavior again and again for the same outcome can trigger an addiction.  E. ADDICTION compulsive behavior triggered by the process that leads to a seemingly positive outcome AND NOT by the dependency on an addictive substance Behavioral/Process Addiction  QUESTION: HOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ITEMS WE PURCHASE ARE WANTS OR NEEDS?  WANTS VS NEEDS ARE THOSE IMPORTANT SYNOYMOUS WITH FOR SURVIVAL. FOOD, LUXURIES. PEOPLE CLOTHING, AND SHELTER BUY THEM FOR REASONS ARE BASIC NEEDS SO PEOPLE PURCHASED THEM THAT DO NOT WARRANT OUT OF NECESSITY NECESSITY NEEDS WANTS COMPONENTS OF THE MATERIAL/ ECONOMIC SELF COMPONENTS OF THE MATERIAL/ ECONOMIC SELF a. Body b. Clothing c. Family d. Home e. Other Properties  BODY The basic components of self include the body. One of the task of adolescents is to accept and appreciate the physical characteristics of their body. CLOTHES Clothes represent the self. The style and brand of clothes become significant symbols, particularly among adolescents. FAMILY These people are likely to shape and influence the development of one’s self and identity.  HOME It is where many aspects of your life have been developed, it is where you feel most comfortable, and it’s greatly linked to your identity  OTHER PROPERTIES The purchase of an item, is not just considered as an investment in monetary sense (because you can always sell it sooner or later) but also from the standpoint of material self  PART 2 SHAPING THE WAY WE SEE OURSELVES: THE ROLES OF CONSUMER ON OUR SENSE OF SELF AND IDENTITY.  CONSUMER CONSUMER PSYCHOLOGY BEHAVIOR "A study that deals with activities and that services directly and ideas involved in selecting, obtaining, and "The study of the buying units and exchange processes involved i ins using products to satisfy needs and acquiring, consuming and disposing desires, including decision of goods, services, experiences and processes that precede and follow ideas." (Mowen, 1995) these actions." (Davis and Palladino, 1995)  THE NATURE OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOR Consumers differ from Consumers buying and others; their own The number of effort and consumption behavior for purchasing behaviors amount of time spend in the same product would would also vary from one deciding often vary because of the product category to present situation they are in another Possessions, tell a lot about their owners (status symbol). Thus, one's sense of self and identity is influential on how an individual chooses to purchase his/her wants and how he/she makes economic decisions that will address his/her personal and social needs. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE OUR DECISION TO BUY: FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AVAILABILITY OF ITEMS AND SERVICES REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE MATERIAL POSSESSIONS PEOPLEHAVE, THEY REMAIN VALUABLE BECAUSE THESE POSSESSIONS ARE SYMBOLIC OF ONE’S SOCIAL STATUS. CARS, HOUSE, GADGETS, AND CLOTHES ARE TO SOME THE MOST VALUABLE POSSESSIONS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST VISIBLE TO THE EYE OF OTHERS. THE ROLE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS ON THE SENSE OF SELF AND IDENTITY ARE WE WHAT WE OWN? (RUSSELL BELK, 1988) MATERIAL POSSESSION ACTS AS AN OBJECT MANIFESTATION OF SELF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS CAN BE REFLECTION OF HARDWORK AND SUCCESS  ARE WE WHAT WE OWN? (RUSSELL BELK, 1988) OWNING MATERIAL POSSESSIONS BECOME A DRIVING FORCE IN URGING INDIVIDUAL TO SEEK HIGH LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT TO ACQUIRE MORE POSSESSIONS MATERIAL POSSESSIONS CAN ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO A FEELING OF WELL BEING, HOWEVER THE LACK OR LOSS OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS CAN BE DISRUPTIVE TO MENTAL HEALTH  TERMS RELATED TO THE MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF MATERIALISM COMPULSIVE BUYING DISORDER CONSUMERISM A TENDENCY TO CONSIDER MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AND PHYSICAL COMFORT AS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SPIRITUAL VALUES. A MATERIALISTIC PERSON IS ONE WHO IS EXCESSIVELY CONCERNED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. MATERIALSM THE CHRONIC PURCHASING OF UNNEEDED IS THE CONSUMPTION OF MATERIAL, OR UNWANTED ITEMS, CAUSING GOODS AND SERVICES IN EXCESS OF ON’S SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES. BASIC NEEDS. COMPULSIVE BUYING CONSUMERISM DISORDER (CBD) CONSUMER CULTURE AND THE SELF  CONSUMER CULTURE AND THE SELF CONSUMER CULTURE IS A SOCIAL SYSTEM IN WHICH CONSUMPTION IS DOMINATED BY THE CONSUMPTION IT DENOTES SOCIAL ARRANGEMENT OF COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS (ARNOLD, IN WHICH THE RELATIONS BETWEEN 2010) LIVED CULTURE AND SOCIAL RESOURCES, AND BETWEEN MEANINGFUL WAYS OF LIFE AND THE SYMBOLIC AND MATERIAL RESOURCES ON WHICH THEY DEPEND ON, ARE MEDIATED THROUGH MARKETS.  CONSUMER CULTURE A culture of The culture of Universal and consumption market society Impersonal Identifies freedom with Needs are insatiable A privileged medium for private choice and life building personal and unlimited identity and status HOW THE MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF IMPACT US 1. Self-Esteem and Self-lmage 2. Social Perception and Belonging 3. Decision-Making and life Choices 4. Values and Priorities: Materialism vs. other values: POSSESSING ITEMS THAT REFLECT WHEN INDIVIDUALS MEASURE THEIR PERSONAL STYLE OR VALUES CAN VALUE BASED ON POSSESSIONS, THEY MAY ENHANCE HOW INDIVIDUALS FEEL ABOUT EXPERIENCE ANXIETY AND THEMSELVES, MAKING THEM FEEL MORE DISSATISFACTION FROM CONSTANTLY ATTRACTIVE AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTED, COMPARING THEMSELVES TO OTHERS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO IMPROVED LEADING TO A FRAGILE SELF-IMAGE THAT INTERACTIONS AND A STRONGER SENSE OF PRIORITIZES EXTERNAL VALIDATION OVER BELONGING. INTRINSIC QUALITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS. COMPULSIVE BUYING CONSUMERISM DISORDER (CBD) Self-Esteem and Self-lmage THE THINGS WE OWN CAN SIGNAL OUR SOCIAL STATUS, CULTURAL AFFLIATIONS, OWNING SIMILAR POSSESSIONS TO AND GROUP MEMBERSHIPS. THIS CAN THOSE IN OUR SOCIAL CIRCLES CAN INFLUENCE HOW OTHERS PERCEIVE US FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AND AND THE SOCIAL GROUPS WE CONNECT CONNECTION. WITH. SOCIAL SIGNALING SENSE OF BELONGING Social Perception and Belonging FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND ASPIRATIONS WE OFTEN MAKE TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT OUR LIFE CHOICES, MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AND OTHER INFLUENCING WHERE WE LIVE, OUR ASPECTS OF LIFE, SUCH AS EXPERIENCES, CAREER PATHS, EDUCATIONAL TIME WITH LOVED ONES, OR PURSUING OPPORTUNITIES, AND EVEN TRAVEL PLANS PERSONAL PASSIONS. FINANCIAL TRADE-OFFS CONSIDERATIONS Decision-Making and Life Choices CONSUMER CULTURE CAN LEAD TO- BY REFLECTING ON OUR VALUES AND PRIORITIZING MATERIAL POSSESSIONS PRIORITIES, WE AN MAKE CONSCIOUS OVER OTHER VALUES SUCH AS CHOICES ABOUT CONSUMPTION THAT EXPERIENCES RELATIONSHIPS, PERSONAL ALIGN WITH WHAT TRULY MATTERS GROWTH, OR GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY. TO US. MATERIALISM VS. INTENTIONAL LIVING OTHER VALUES Values and Priorities THE ROLES OF CONSUMER ON OUR SENSE OF SELF AND IDENTITY. Possessions and Special Cases of the Extended Self Extended Self  POSSESSIONS AND THE EXTENDED SELF  POSSESSIONS AND THE EXTENDED SELF People often regard their possessions as part of themselves. This should also mean that an unintentional loss of Evidence of deliberate lessening of the possessions should be regarded as a loss or lessening of the self. self manifested in institutions such as mental hospitals, homes for the aged, prisons, concentration camps, military camps. Systematically deprive them of all personal possessions, ex. clothing, money & even names (Goffman, 1961) New members of institutions undergo a process where they are stripped of personal belongings, including clothing and names, to create a standardized identity. This includes uniform haircuts and restricted behaviors, leading to a loss of individuality and a traumatic diminishment of self. While the new standard possessions can help rebuild a sense of identity, it tends to result in a less unique self that aligns more with group identity. SPECIAL CASES OF EXTENDED SELF  SPECIAL CASES OF EXTENDED SELF I. Collections (I shop, therefore, I am) II. Pets as Extended Self III. Body Parts  POSSESSIONS AND THE EXTENDED SELF humans (also animals) once collected for future security; now, they are of nonnecessities for distinction and self definition. Collecting has become a significant These particular collections may be activity in our consumer society as it initiated by gift or other unintended has become more widely affordable acquisitions (Belk, 1982) through the discretionary time and money available to the general population rather than just to the wealthy elite (Mason, 1981). !! - cultivation of a collection is a purposeful self defining act POSSESSIONS AND THE EXTENDED SELF "Many collectors who are inhibited and uncomfortable in social interaction, surround themselves with favored objects upon which they project human- like qualities. They practically talk to these objects; they find comfort in being with them and regard them as friends." Goldberg and Lewis (1978) "I SHOP, THEREFORE I AM; I HAVE, THEREFORE, I AM". To some extent, a compulsive tendency urges them the increasing desire to collect as much as they could which gives them a greater feeling of security, and therefore becoming a basis of the sense of self and identity.  PETS AS EXTENDED SELF pets are commonly regarded as representative of self and studies show we attempt to infer Some relationship between characteristics of people from their personality and choice of pets does, pets. (Foote 1956; Heiman 1967) in fact, exist (Kidd and Kidd 1980). Others have observed that, like people, pets are regarded as family members (e.g., Cain 1985; Friedmann and Thomas 1985; Hickrod and Schmitt 1982; Rochberg-Halton 1985; Wallendorfand Belk 1987).  PETS AS EXTENDED SELF Levinson (1972) and Robin and Bensel (1985) found that pets are so instrumental to self-identity that In this regard, it’s significant that we they are often useful as transition name our pets, feed and care for them, objects (surrogate parents) for photograph them, spend money on children and as surrogate children them, groom them, talk to them, for adults. protect them, sleep and play with them, and mourn their death (Hickrod and Schmitt 1982; Meer 1984). THESE OBSERVATIONS SUGGESTS THAT PETS CAN BE THERAPEUTIC IN EXPANDING THE SELF OF CHILDREN, HOSPITAL PATIENTS, AND THE ELDERLY PETS AS EXTENDED SELF  BODY PARTS  BODY PARTS BODY PARTS ARE AMONG THE MOST CENTRAL PARTS OF THE EXTENDED SELF in psychoanalytic terms, such self The concept most commonly has been applied to body parts and it is known, for extension is referred to as CATHEXIS instance, that women generally tend to cathect body parts to a greater degree than men and that such cathexis involves charging of an object, reflects self- acceptance. When a body activity, or idea with emotional part is more highly cathected, there is energy by the individual. greater use of grooming products to care for this part of the body. SINCE WE ARE PERMANENTLY ATTACHED TO OUR BODY PARTS, THESE BODY PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MORE STRONGLY CATHECTED THAN MATERIAL POSSESSIONS THAT CAN BE MORE EASILY ACQUIRED AND DISCARDED. AND SINCE BODY PARTS ARE NORMALLY CENTRAL TO CONCEPTIONS OF SELF, THE LOSS OF BODY PARTS IS TANTAMOUNT TO LOSING ONE'S IDENTITY AND ONE'S VERY BEING. Csikszentimihalyi and Rochberg-Halton (1981)  CONCLUSION The material self refers to all of the physical elements that reflect who a person is which includes his/her body, possessions and home, The body is the innermost part of the material self. The family, home and clothes also form a person's material self. Furthermore, practical interests of a person is part of his/her material self which includes the instinctive impulse of collecting property. In exploring the material/economic self, we've seen how our identities are intricately linked to our possessions and financial status. These elements not only shape our personal experiences but also influence our social interactions and cultural perceptions. Understanding this relationship allows us to critically assess how material wealth can both empower and constrain our sense of self. Moving forward, it's crucial to recognize the balance between our economic realities and our intrinsic values, fostering a more holistic understanding of what it means to be truly fulfilled in today's society. THINK AND REACT ON THIS: I SHOP, THEREFORE I AM THINK AND REACT ON THIS: I SHOP, THEREFORE I AM A person is defined not by what he thinks, but by what he owns. Shopping is an expressive and constitutive existential act. (Kruger) Understanding shopping is important in determining race and culture, gender, class, family, and community. (Belk, 2016)  CONCLUSION As we shape the way we see ourselves and develop our sense of self and identity, reflecting on this statement might help; "People were created to be loved, and things were created to be used; the reason why the world is in so much chaos right now is because people are being used, and things are being loved"