The material and immaterial in conflict: Spirituality reduces conspicuous consumption

Tyler F. Stillman, Frank D. Fincham, Kathleen D. Vohs, Nathaniel M. Lambert and Christa A. Phillips

Journal of Economic Psychology, 2012, vol. 33, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Many spiritual leaders have argued that materialistic pursuits are incompatible with following a spiritual life. Consistent with this view, we found that higher levels of spirituality correspond to a decreased desire to consume material goods in a conspicuous manner. Study 1 was correlational, and found that people who reported having spiritual experiences reported a decreased desire to spend lavishly for visible consumer goods, such as a cell phone. Study 2 was experimental, and found that participants assigned to recall a spiritual event also demonstrated a decreased desire to consume conspicuously, relative to participants assigned to recall an enjoyable event.

Keywords: Spirituality; Religion; Materialism; Conspicuous consumption; Spending (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (27)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:33:y:2012:i:1:p:1-7

DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2011.08.012

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