Chapter 5: The Material Self (USELF Understanding the Self)

Discussion about the material self includes topics about:

• Body image

• SOGIE

• Consumerism

• Optimal functioning

The positive side of materialism:

• Consumerism

• Country-level economic prosperity

• Saving money

• Improve quality of life

Excessive materialism leads to the following, except:

• Empathy of people

• Environmental degradation

• Social inequity

• Financial stress

In a research study with Indonesian Gen Z’s in 2020, it was found that being highly materialistic is associated with:

• More money savings

• Lower grades

• Happier romantic relationships

• Financial stress

• None of the choices given

In a research study with Filipino high school students in 2017, it was found that highly materialistic students had:

• More money savings

• Lower grades

• Happier romantic relationships

• Financial stress

• None of the choices given

Excessive materialism reduces happiness more strongly in which country?

• US

• Philippines

• Cambodia

• Afghanistan

Materialism can result to sustainable economic development under which condition?

• When people save money

• When people pay their debts on time

• When people are pro-environment

• When people have decent jobs

Which of the following best defines experiential spending?

• Spending money on material possessions such as clothes and jewelry

• Spending money on experiences such as vacations and tours

• Spending money on home improvements and renovations

• Spending money on investments such as stocks and real estate

What is excessive materialism?

• A healthy desire to own nice things

• A lack of interest in material possessions

• A tendency to give away material possessions too easily

• A preoccupation with acquiring material possessions beyond what is necessary

Marilyn believes she is already a successful person because she has bought all Apple devices, including MacBook, iPhone, airpods, apple watch, and others. This dimension of materialistic self is:

• Acquisition centrality

• Acquisition as a pursuit of success

• Acquisition as a pursuit of happiness

• Possession-defined success