Psychological causes, correlates, and consequences of materialism

Abstract

Materialism has a long history in consumer research, and the volume of research continues to expand rapidly. In this article, we review extant research on materialism, with a particular focus on research in the last 10 years. We structure the review around the antecedents and consequences of materialism. We first provide a brief review of the different conceptualizations of materialism. We then discuss antecedents in terms of interpersonal influences (socialization factors—parents, peers, and media) and intrapersonal influences (psychological factors—self-esteem, power, belongingness, and self-concept clarity). Next, we discuss some consequences of materialism, such as well-being, gratitude, and prosocial attitudes and behaviors. Finally, we conclude with suggestions for future research.