MATERIAL SELF

• Material self refers to the material and non-material objects possessed by the individual, which he or she can personally call as “mine” or “my”. It includes all the things, persons, events, and experiences that are central to one’s sense of self.
• Material possessions are part of the self according to William James
• The components of material self is Body, Clothes, Immediate Family and Home
• Body is the innermost part of our material self
• Clothes represent the self. The style and brand of clothes become a symbolic significance, particularly among adolescents.
• Immediate family shape and influence the development of self-identity
• • A person’s pet could be an expression of one’s social status, pride and prestige.
• The home thus an extension of self, because in it, we can directly connect our self.
• • Regardless of how much or how little material possessions people have, they remain valuable because these possessions are symbolic of one’s social status.
• The more expensive they are the most visible in the eyes of others.
• ARE WE WHAT WE OWN? by Russell Belk
• • People tend to measure success through material possessions.
• Material possessions can be a reflection of hard work and success.
• • Material possessions can be a driving force in urging an individual to seek a high level of achievement to acquire more possessions.
• Material possessions can also contribute to a feeling of well-being, including a sense of personal growth and purpose or meaning in life.
• Effects of material possession;

  • Disruptive in one’s mental health
  • People tend to judge others through their material possessions.
  • The greater the material possessions, the more likely one will be accepted and regarded well by other people.
• Materialism refers to giving more importance to material possessions than intangible values.
• A materialistic person is excessively concerned with the acquisition of material possessions.
• COMPULSIVE BUYING DISORDER (CBD) is psychological dysfunction or impairment in functioning caused by the strong desire for material possessions. It is obsession with buying and shopping behaviors that causes adverse consequences (ex. debts).
• Lack or loss of material possessions could lead to:

  • Anxiety
  • Insecurity
  • Depression
• • Consumer culture is a social system in which consumption is dominated by the consumption of commercial products. Denotes a social arrangement through markets.
• Consumerist society is one in which people spend a great deal of time, money, and energy to “consume” commercial products, goods, and services
• Consumerism is the consumption of material goods and services in excess in one’s basic needs
• Consumerism and Materialism is both heavy influence the way individuals view the self.