Happiness can not be bought by money it can only be felt at the right place, with the right person on
right time
I. What is Materialistic/Economic Self?
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Materialism is a variable relevant to many aspects of economic psychology.
A discussion of the potential relationships between materialism and several economic
variables, including use of money, work motivation, giving, and materialism.
The use of economic goods in social communication and the potential role of materialism in
such communication.
Define “Self”
The concept of “Self” is a complex one and has been explored by philosophers, psychologists, and
sociologists alike. It refers to an individual’s conscious and unconscious thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions
about their identity.
The “Self” is not a static entity but rather a dynamic one that evolves over time and is shaped by
our experiences, relationships, and the culture and society in which we live.
William James
As the philosopher William James once wrote, "A man’s Self is the sum total of all that he CAN
call his". This includes not only one’s body, family, and reputation, but also their material possessions.
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He is often credited with one of the earliest comprehensive theories of self. He proposed that
the self is made up of two main aspects: the “I” and the “Me”. The “I” is the self that knows
who they are and the “Me” is the self that is known.
He also suggested that the “Me” can be divided into three components: the material self, the
social self, and the spiritual self. The material self, which is the focus of your presentation,
includes all the tangible things that people associate with their identity.
The Material/Economic Self
The Material/Economic Self refers to the tangible objects, people, or places that carry the
designation of “my” or "mine". It is a part of our identity that is often influenced by societal and cultural
factors.
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The Material/Economic Self is not just about what we own, but also about what we value. It
reflects our tastes, our preferences, and our aspirations.
The Material/Economic Self is a component of our identity that is defined by our possessions. This
includes our body, our clothing, our home, and other material possessions.
As James also noted, our Material Self can include everything from our body and clothes to our
immediate family and home. When these elements grow or fade, we often feel a sense of triumph or loss,
as if a part of ourselves is changing.
In the context of the Material/Economic Self, you are not just what you eat or who your friends
are, but also what you have. This can range from the brands you buy to the things you cannot live without.
Changes in our Material/Economic Self can lead to feelings of triumph or loss. This is because we often
invest part of our identity in our possessions.
II. Concept of Material/Economic Self
1. Material Self Constituents: The material self is made up of a person’s tangible possessions, which
include their body, family, clothes, money, house, car, and other tangible objects. These
possessions are often seen as extensions of one’s identity.
2. Basic Component: The body is considered the basic component of the material self. This is
because our physical characteristics are often the most immediate and obvious aspects of our
identity.
3. Adolescent Task: One of the tasks for adolescents is to accept and appreciate the physical
characteristics of their body. This is a crucial part of developing a healthy sense of self and body
image.
4. Challenges: few adolescents are able to successfully accomplish this task. This emphasize the
challenges many young people face in developing a positive body image and self-esteem.
VENN DIAGRAM (Aspects of Self)
Material/Economic and Social Self The intersection between the Material/Economic and Social Self can
be seen in how our economic status and possessions influence our social roles and relationships.
For example, the job we have (Material/Economic Self) can determine our social status and how others
perceive us (Social Self).
Social and Spiritual Self The intersection between the Social and Spiritual Self can be seen in how our
beliefs and values influence our social interactions.
For example, our religious beliefs (Spiritual Self) can guide our behavior and roles in our community (Social
Self).
Material/Economic and Spiritual Self The intersection between the Material/Economic and Spiritual Self
can be seen in how our inner values and beliefs can influence our material choices.
For example, if someone values sustainability (Spiritual Self), they might choose to invest in eco-friendly
products or services (Material/Economic Self).
Material/Economic, Social, and Spiritual Self The center of the Venn diagram, where all three aspects
overlap, represents the holistic self. This is where all aspects of our identity come together to form a
complete picture of who we are.
For example, a person might be a successful business owner (Material/Economic Self) who is respected in
their community (Social Self) and uses their resources to support causes they believe in (Spiritual Self).
III. Factors Influencing the Material/Economic Self
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ROLE OF SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Role of Society
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Society influences our Material/Economic Self through social norms and expectations.
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Societal norms dictate what types of jobs are considered prestigious and what possessions are
seen as symbols of success.
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These societal expectations can influence our career choices, spending habits, and overall
economic behavior.
Example: If society values high-paying jobs in the tech industry, individuals might be more inclined to
pursue careers in this field.
Role of Culture
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Culture shapes our values and attitudes towards material possessions and economic activities.
Different cultures have different beliefs about wealth, work, and possessions.
These cultural beliefs can greatly influence an individual’s Material/Economic Self.
Example: In some cultures, wealth might be seen as a sign of success and power, leading individuals to
strive for high-paying jobs and luxurious possessions.
The survey about materialism among millennials was conducted as part of a study titled “Goodbye
materialism: exploring antecedents of minimalism and its impact on millennials well-being” which was
published on June 8, 2023
According to this survey, 72% of millennials feel a social pressure to compare their material
possessions with their peers. This highlights the prevalence of materialistic pressures in society and
underscores the importance of strategies to resist such pressures.
In the context of materialism, this pressure often manifests in the form of “keeping up with the
Joneses” - a phenomenon where individuals compare their wealth or social status with others and feel
the need to match or surpass them. This can lead to excessive spending and overconsumption, as
individuals strive to meet these societal expectations.
For millennials, these pressures can be particularly intense due to the prevalence of social media.
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook often highlight the material possessions and lifestyles of others,
which can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy or the desire for material goods.
MATERIAL SELF PRESENTATION AND IDENTITY
John Heskett, a British writer and lecturer on the economic, political, cultural, and human value of
industrial design.
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He suggests that design combines ‘need’ and ‘desire’ in the form of a practical object that can
also reflect the user’s identity and aspirations through its form and decoration.
The idea aligns with the concept of material self-presentation, where individuals use material
objects to express their identity.
Heskett’s work has significantly contributed to the understanding of how design and material culture
contribute to self-presentation and identity formation. He believed that practical objects are not just
functional, but also symbolic. They can reflect the user’s identity and aspirations through their form and
decoration.
Roland Barthes, a renowned French literary theorist, philosopher, critic, and semiotician.
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Barthes suggests that objects can be seen as signs or symbols that convey messages beyond their
practical value.
The idea supports the notion of identity presentation, where objects we possess or use can
communicate aspects of our identity to others.
Barthes’ work engaged in the analysis of a variety of sign systems, mainly derived from Western popular
culture. His ideas explored a diverse range of fields and influenced the development of many schools of
theory, including structuralism, anthropology, literary theory, and post-structuralism.
Semiotics and semiology are fields of study that originated in the 1950s. They are concerned with the
study of signs and symbols and their use in communication. These fields explore the foundational
principles of how meaning is created and communicated through signs, and their applications have had
significant impacts on our understanding of communication
SEMIOLOGY
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first proposed by Ferdinand de Saussure, is the study of objects as signs.
This field underscores the pivotal role that objects, or signs, play in conveying distinct messages
within various contexts.
In other words, semiology looks at how objects can be used to represent certain ideas or
concepts and communicate these to others
Sign
A sign, in the context of semiotics and semiology, is a complex entity that comprises two core elements:
the signifier and the signified.
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Signifier: This represents the physical form or tangible aspect of the sign.
For example, in the word “tree”, the combination of the letters T, R, E, E is the signifier.
Signified: This embodies the mental concept or meaning attributed to the sign.
Continuing with the previous example, the signified would be the concept or image of a
tree that comes to mind when we see or hear the word “tree”.
Together, the signifier and the signified create a sign, which is used to communicate specific ideas or
meanings. This relationship between the signifier and the signified is fundamental to the fields of
semiotics and semiology
The things people use, own and surround themselves with might accurately reflect their personalities. In
relation to this, the things that surround people are inseparable from who they are. Signs are also used
to differentiate one person or group from others.
Theory of the Meaning of Material Possessions
(Dittmar, 1992, 2004)
Material Goods
Material goods are not just physical entities but play significant roles in our social, symbolic, and
affective lives. They serve practical purposes, signify personal qualities and social standings,
communicate group membership and status, and reflect unique qualities, values, or attitudes.
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Instrumental Functions: The Practical Aspect
Material goods serve practical and functional purposes. They are designed to fulfill certain needs
or solve specific problems. For example, a car is designed to transport people from one place to
another.
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Social Symbolic Functions: Beyond the Physical – The Social Dimension
Possessions signify personal qualities and social standings. They are used to communicate
information about the owner’s social status, group affiliations, and personal characteristics. For
example, a luxury car may signify wealth and high social status.
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Categorical Functions: Communicating Identity & Status
Possessions communicate group membership and status. They are used to distinguish one
person or group from others. For example, a student’s backpack may signify their membership
in a school or university.
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Self-Expressive Functions: A Canvas for Self-Expression
Possessions reflect unique qualities, values, or attitudes. They are used as a means of selfexpression. For example, a person’s choice of clothing may reflect their personal style and
individuality.