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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
Estefany Intriago
April 25, 2014
IND5937 – Special Topics
Professor Phil Abbott
Spring 2014
FINDING BEAUTY IN A BROKEN WORLD
AN ECO ART SCHOOL
Table of Contents
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
I. Introduction Background…………………………Purpose of Study……………………Significance of Study………………
II. Literature ReviewThe basis of Consumerism…………Negative characteristics of consumerism………Sustainable consumption approach……………
Concept…………Sustainable consumption associated with social class…..Sustainable consumption associate with culture………..Adopting a sustainable lifestyle………………
Relationships between consumerism and well-being of people…
III. Conclusion……IV. List of References…………V. Appendix A
Outline………VI. Appendix B
Annotated Bibliography………………………………………………………………20
Introduction
Background
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
“Our necessities are few, but our wants are endless.” George Bernard Shaw
“Everyone from the scientific research community, to Green Peace, to Nobel
Laureate Al Gore has argued convincingly and forcefully that our current level of
consumption of natural resources is unsustainable.” (Banbury, et al, 2011, p. 497)
It is well know that American consumption is the major contributor to
environmental destruction. According to the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, the United States is one of the seven countries in the world responsible of
higher greenhouse gasses emissions (EPA, 2013). 99% of things people in North
America buy is thrown away within six month after purchase and that we would
need the resources of three planets for humans to live an “American” lifestyle?
(Mount Holyoke College, 2009). Americans are driven by an irrational consumption
drive that grew more and more severe ever since the Industrial Revolution.
Companies are responsible for inconsiderately designing products with a short life
span (planned obsolescence) and these companies hire marketing companies that
use advertisements to convince consumers they need the new product in the
market (perceived obsolescence) (Mount Holyoke College, 2009).
We are living in a society where the ubiquitous power of media has created a
drive towards materialism and consumption that has never been so prevalent (Hill,
2011, p. 348). This study found that unscrupulous marketing companies study
children behavior and have as an ambition to create false emotional and physical
needs to later try to permeate these false needs into our children’s vulnerable
brains. The author also found that childhood is indeed endangered. Consumerism is
guilty of creating a culture of negation of positive self-image among many other
things. The childhood experiences that our parents or grandparents had are not the
same today. Children are being deprived of these essential experiences because
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marketing companies and the media in general has done the improper job of
showing images, sounds, concepts that are meant to target an adult audience. As a
consequence, play has become tainted with adult cues, imaginations and
expectations and our children’s minds are no longer a sanctuary for creativity and
innocent play (Hill, 2011, p. 349).
The literature review I developed follows a logical structure that will help give
light in the topics of consumerism and sustainable consumption. The reader will see
with no distortions the reality and consequences of a consumerist society. I want to
take the reader into this new pathway of a sustainable mentality. Personally, I was
not aware of all the issues involving consumerism, and I can honestly say that after
acquiring knowledge regarding my topic I find myself taking steps to adopt a more
sustainable lifestyle. I believe that ignorance of these topics is the blameful reason
for our unconscious consumption decisions. Furthermore this paper will cover the
other side of consumerism which is sustainable consumption. The reader will be
exposed to new ways of adopting a more sustainable lifestyle that will consequently
lead to lower the impulsive drive to consume.
Purpose of Study
Consumerism creates an environment of perversity, dishonor, and confusion.
For this reason it is crucial to reveal the significant issues regarding consumerism
and sustainable consumption. The purpose of this literature review is to
unequivocally identify the perceptions of consumerism and how adopting a less
materialistic lifestyle help negate this impulsive drive. This literature review’s
objective is to answer the following questions:
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Central Question:
How may interior design affect the negative perception of consumerism in our
society today with a particular focus on the issues associated with a potential
conflict between consumerism and sustainability?
Subquestions:
1. What are the bases of consumerism?
2. What are the current negative characteristics of consumerism?
3. What is sustainable consumption?
4. Is sustainable consumption associated with a certain population or culture?
5. Is there a relationship between materialism and the well-being of people?
Significance of Study
The results of one of the articles I read stated that it is possible to intervene
in adolescents’ lives so as to decrease the priority they place on materialistic goals
(Kasser, et al, 2013, p. 17). After immersing myself into the consumerism and
sustainable consumption topics I came to the conviction that education is the most
efficient way to counteract a consumerist society. I realized that among all of us,
children are the ones that are most manipulated to continue with the legacy of the
madness of consumerism. In view of this absurdity, I find myself in the imperative
mission of bringing light to the different aspects of consumerism to the reader.
Ultimately, the knowledge gain in this process will serve as guidance in designing a
supportive environmental community where creativity and self-esteem are
enhanced and environmental awareness is taught to children.
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Literature Review
The basis of consumerism
Historic Background
According to McKendrick, Brewer and Plumb (1982) the birthplace of
consumerism took place in the eighteenth century in England. The anthropologist,
Grant David McCracken, explains that towards the end of the 16th century Elizabeth
I started using the acquisition of goods as a way to communicate legitimacy, power
and majesty (Friese, 2000). The author noted that back in that time, the Elizabethan
family tradition was to purchase objects that could represent honor from previous
generations and family status. Noblemen started traveling to London and compete
with each other to bid for the Queen’s attention and receive her favours. The 16 th
and 17th century period prepared the path for the changes that were coming.
Following this period came the 18th century and as Damme and Vermoesen
(2009) indicate “second-hand consumption was truly a way of life or, as Donald
Woodward noted in a pioneering work: ‘Few goods were lightly abandoned; fewer
still were left to rot by the roadside’” (p. 295). In Europe, according to Damme and
Vermoesen, people from villages of the 18th century such as Erembodegen would
even engage in public auctioning activities where they would sell deceased’s
possessions, furniture, kitchen goods, clothing and so on. It is interesting to know
that people from all social classes were free to buy in public auctions. It is by the
end of 18th century that consumer practices went through a transition. Objects
started to being cherished for its novelty, style and aesthetics not for their function.
In fact, objects became instruments to express status among all social classes. In
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addition the term fashion, as we know it today, was born and it started replacing
consumer’s goods in a never ending manner (Friese, 2000, p. 11). No longer were
goods preserved, fixed, reused until their usefulness was exhausted, rather people
would keep them as long as they felt satisfied with the demands of fashion.
Consumerism in the 19th and 20th century
In the 19th century the United States went through significant changes in
society, politics, and culture. For instance, this was the period of the introduction of
the department store and there were exhibitions taking place around the world that
caused excitement among the people of that era (Friese, 2000, p. 11). Friese points
out that before the first department store opened, individuals would shop for the
only reason to acquire goods they really needed or wanted. Interestingly, that way
of shopping was completely different from what we know today. For instance, a
customer would enter a shop and only one person would attend the needs of that
customer. The customer did not walk around the store and had to wait until the
shopkeeper show the desired item on the counter, without having many choices
available. Custom made things were made, long negotiations would take place to
set up a price and a delivery date and the return/exchange policy didn’t existed.
When department stores opened the architecture and interior design of the
buildings often took on monumental forms. The activity of shopping within a store
added a dream like quality to consumption and the whole atmosphere was designed
to increase demand. One of the articles by Zukin & Maguire (2004) stated “to the
extent that it is theorized, this work strongly suggests that mass consumption was
produced by manipulating consumers’ desires to be well dressed, good looking, and
beloved; to surround themselves with visions of beauty; and to surrender common
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sense and sobriety to individual dreams of self-enhancement” (p.176). As Bowlby
suggests, shopping took attributes of a new religion of consumption (Friese, 2000,
p. 14).
On the social/political note, Kruger (2001) mentions that during the 1960s
students and young people were responsible for much of the cultural and political
change. During this period the Students for a Democratic Society movement was
created and they wrote a statement of philosophy. In this document they called for
the treatment of people as important and empowered human beings and to create
a new sense of community where individuals are able to interact in a meaningful
way (Kruger, 2001, p. 17). This movement criticized the materialistic values, the
lack of dignity and empowerment of the individual in post-war America. The
research by Kruger also mentioned that concepts of individuality, dignity and
empowerment were also part of American Literature. Such is the case of Walt
Whitman who taught that everyone was entitled to dignity, not matter social class
or race. Much of the American literature reflected a refusal of the longing of
accumulation of wealth. In the article by Friese, she states that:
“At the start of the 20th century, working class consumers in Britain spent 50
to 75% of their income on food. Surplus cash was spent on luxuries like drink and
tobacco. Today consumers only need to spend 10 and 30% of their incomes on
food. Therefore, much more money is left over to spend on services and
entertainment, the various forms of savings and items of conspicuous consumption
like dress, personal possession and decoration for the home (Gabriel and Lang,
1995).” (Friese, 2000, p. 15)
Definitions and Facts
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In an article by Day and Aaker (1970), they start describing consumerism
using the words of one of the earliest adopters of the term, Vance Packard. Packard
linked consumerism with strategies to encourage consumers to rapidly magnify
their needs and wants by making them insatiable, compulsive and wasteful (p.13).
As a matter of fact, the research done by Friese (2000) states lower classes observe
the life and habits of higher classes and strive to imitate their ways. Chiefly, the
motives for the exaggerated display of their possessions are emulation, pride and
envy (p. 17). The article by Day and Aaker (1970) also states that consumers lack
the information necessary to allow him to make a smart purchase. The reasons
behind this issue are the vast number of consumer products in the market and the
misleading information of advertising and packaging of products. The authors of this
article suggest that ‘sophisticated consumers are demanding more personal
relationships and security in their purchases’ (p. 16). Furthermore, Gross (2006)
acknowledges that according to his research globalization impacts consumerism
making approximately 1.1 billion ‘new consumers’ pursuing the so dreamed
western lifestyle; thus increasing consumption of cars, meat and electricity. As a
matter of fact, Gross mentions that even furniture and fashion commodity chains
manipulate the fashion of furniture to accelerate the lifecycle of products. Such is
the case of Denmark, where exterior spaces express social status and interiors
declare love of family. By the same token, this study argues that individuals are
disillusioned with the mall concept, and that an open-air ‘neo-village’ will be the
new trend that liberates shopping. Gross (2006) concludes by manifesting that we
need more spiritual education and to critically judge mass media so we can discover
the hidden intentions of companies.
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Negative characteristics of consumerism
Consumerism and Credit
The introduction of credit occurred in the 19th century. Individuals were now
able to pay in instalments to previously unobtainable objects (Friese, 2000, p. 13).
Specifically, credit “is the driver of consumerism and economic growth and credit
cards give people the opportunity to undertake consumption that otherwise would
not take place” (Manktelow, 2011, p. 259). People attempted to compare their
personal standard of life with others, and the outcome of such action was feeling
envious, dissatisfied and disempower followed up by the efforts to acquire goods
that express an improved social status using credit. Such is the example of what
happened with a community in Derry City, Northern Ireland. People got into debt
using credit to satisfy their consumerist drive and now they are experiencing
isolations, strain and powerlessness. There are two general purposes to use
consumer credit. The first one is to finance consumerist behavioral patterns for the
middle and higher social classes and to pay the basic needs of those people on low
incomes. For this and several other reasons, Manktelow (2011) acknowledges that
consumerism has been blamed for destroying traditional cultures and solidarities
engendering a sense of alienation as a natural response to the hopelessness of
modern consumer life (p. 260).
Endangered Childhoods
Hill (2011) developed a study that points out how the pervasive media,
technology and a culture of consumption are affecting the structure of childhood.
Modern children are being affected from a significant physical, emotional and social
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deficit that can be blamed on consumerism. Although technology has helped
education immensely it has also generated an anti-social behavior in children
reinforcing pattern like racism and sexism. Influential corporations and media have
been able to infiltrate past differences of class, ethnicity and gender. Children are
being deprived of the series of childhood experiences that would have had if it was
not for consumers. The power of media is responsible for the drive towards the
materialism and over consumption that is constantly destabilizing children’s
identity. This research also reveals that play has become professionalized and
tainted with adult cues, imaginations and expectations. This finding makes me
realized that I need to create an interior environment that strengthens and actives
critical thinking and the creative mind of a child. A new positive realm for today’s
children is much needed; a realm that cancels out perversity, dishonor, confusion
and consumerism. It is very interesting to note that children’s play is no longer an
expression of joy with no specific purpose but rather it has become an activity that
is controlled by companies looking desperately to make profits at whatever cost. As
a consequence the capacity for play automatically erodes. According to Hill (2011),
there is a social phenomenon called the “tween” which is an unmistakable example
of consumerism. This phenomenon occurs as a result of media seducing children to
adopt an identity older than their developmental age. Furthermore, it is mentioned
in this research that marketing companies are hiring child psychologists to
maximize their understanding of the segments and nuances of the youth market. All
the pervasive media creates issues of identity in children that are directly linked to
negative health indicators such as addictions. Children that have an addiction
problem have previously internalized an identity that justifies this type of behavior.
Marketing companies sell an identity with their goods that children will crave to
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adopt. In other words, consumerism is guilty of creating a culture that tolerates the
negation of a positive self-image.
Hill (2011) reveals in this research that the statistics of children’s health
point to a disturbing trend that children are being robbed of their childhood at an
emotional and physical level. Serious problems of early obesity, drug abuse, alcohol
use, depression and suicide rates are linked in some way or the other to the
consequences of consumerism. These findings urge me to create an environment
that creates a culture of love and acceptance of the self and others. Children have a
cognitive capacity and through television children are being exposed to powerful
messaging, shaping attitudes, motivation, behavior and lastly, one’s identity.
Unfortunately, brand loyalty is sought from the cradle. More importantly, children’s
play is crucial in their early years because they are able to express themselves and
gain a sense of control over their world. Consumerism through the advertisement of
technological products for children is jeopardizing an environment that allows
creativity and critical thinking. As a result, identity suffers because children learn at
an early stage that happiness is based on material goods that define them. We are
all constantly manipulated to think that we can find happiness through consumption
and as a result we are blindfolded dreaming the same consumerist dream.
Marketing companies are working hard to exploit children’s aspirations for a certain
physical or mental attitude/ characteristic. I want, on the other hand, to create an
environment that exploits children creativity, critical thinking and that creates a
connection to nature. Hill (2011) research states that more than half of the brands
used in childhood continue to be used in adulthood, and that children starting at 3
years can be avid consumers. For this reason, marketing companies are using all
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their resources to understand the mind of a child so can create brand loyalty at an
early age.
Sustainable consumption approach
Concept
“A working definition of sustainable consumption proposed by the 1994 Oslo
Symposium on Sustainable Consumption hosted by the Norwegian government
involving NGOs and intergovernmental organization is: The use of goods and
services that respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life, while
minimizing the use of natural resources toxic materials and emissions of waste and
pollutants over the life cycle, so as not to jeopardize the needs of future
generations.” (Banbury, et al, 2011, p. 497)
In the research done by Banbury, et al, (2011) they state that terms like voluntary
simplicity, use of greens products, reducing the use of natural resources, toxic
materials and emissions of waste and pollutants are among the numerous
definitions of sustainable consumption. By the same token, a research done by Mont
and Plepys (2008) indicates that there is still no specific definition of sustainable
consumption. Some will treat consumption as production issue and they claim that
this issue can be solve if the industry sector implements eco-efficient improvements
in the production process. Others will argue that sustainable consumption is the
implementation of green products in the market. Others with a more radical
perspective will argue that the consumption levels in developed countries need to
be simplified. If individuals living in developed countries want to engage in this new
vision of sustainable consumption they should acquire more green products and
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also find happiness in a less materialistic lifestyle. When referring to sustainability
there are different views according to the different disciples of economics, social
studies, psychology.
o Economic studies focus on how economic forces shape consumer
levels and patterns.
o Sociological studies focus on the influence of social culture, social class
and family, ethnic and religious groups.
o The psychological studies focus on how emotions and habits influence
consumer’s purchasing decisions.
In the same fashion, “the notion of sustainable consumption is often used as an
umbrella term for issues related to human needs, equity, quality of life, resource
efficiency, waste minimization, life cycle thinking, consumer health and safety,
consumer sovereignty, etc.” (Mont & Plepys, 2008, p. 532).
Sustainable consumption associated with social classes
The research by Elliot (2013) studied the green consumption’s connection to
social status positioning that consumers can use it as an opportunity to
conspicuously signify their social status. The author found that relatively well
educated people find green consumption practice more appealing however in green
consumption social differentiation implication does occur though in part and does
depends on good’s symbolic nature rather than its taste. Results of his study
showed that green consumption desirability is directly related with increasing level
of education, along with having children of 18 years old at home identifying
themselves as an environmentalist.
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Sustainable consumption associated with culture
In a research done by Banbury, et al, (2011), they developed introspective
narratives expressing the different points of the participants. These individuals
come from different backgrounds. One of the participants that was born and raised
in Australia and when she came to the US she noticed the hyper choice of
consumerism that Americans have. She realized over the years that the US society
has an individualistic view. She had to interiorize the neo-classical belief that an
individual is the only one in charge of his well-being and felt that in this country she
is on her own. Being an educated person in the business field she attended a
seminar where she learned how a capitalist economy devastates communities and
the natural environment. Moreover, this lady and her husband had the opportunity
to experience a training program inside an eco-village in Findhorn, Scotland.
Approximately the three hundred people that live in this village engage in
sustainable practices like growing their own food, using solar and wind energy and
walking everywhere they need to instead of using cars. She expresses how she felt
a profound sense of belonging to a community where everybody cares for the well-
being of each other. The other narrative was insightful in that the participant states
that international travel is the best way to learn, compare and understand our
lifestyle, culture and country of origin in a way we never had. Their narratives made
them come to the conclusion that sustainable consumption meant for them the
impact of the consumption on the ecology. One of the participants came to the
understanding of the interdependencies of the natural environment and the well-
being of an individual/society. Another conclusion they reached is that the
education system is the key instrument in awakening society to an ecological
consciousness. The second important point they reached is that as a consumer we
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seek to shape ourselves to represent a particular lifestyle. The final point is that to
have a supportive environmental infrastructure is of critical importance. Our
consumption behavior is shaped by the place/city/country we live in. Furthermore,
the study conducted by Elliot (2013) suggested that not all regions/countries have
the same environmental problems and one message cannot raise the awareness
but it has to be customized and reinforced regularly to make change happen.
Adopting a sustainable lifestyle
Lorenzen (2012) conducted a research where she provides the different
actions one could take in order to change a lifestyle. As the researcher states, one
way to change a lifestyle is by changing an individual’s practices, and the other way
is to tell the story about those changes. The author interviewed 40 individuals and
found that there are similarities on how they starting adopting and acting upon a
more green lifestyle. Deliberation and habit was among those characteristics.
Deliberation happens when current habits fail to solve a problem or when there are
other alternatives that individuals consider and make a slow but clear choice with
an intent that can be verbalized. Green lifestyle is then a pattern of living where one
voluntarily eliminates practices that have uncertain environmental impacts and tell
a narrative that makes that process purposeful.
Participants in these interviews thought green practices are not isolated decisions
or actions but components of an evolved coherent project. People adopting green
lifestyles feel everybody can make a difference by changing behaviors. According to
this research by Lorenzen (2012), products and the behavior we adopt as
consumers are part of an imperfect system of shared meaning that we consciously
or unconsciously integrated into our identity projects. The things that we buy, buy
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less, or not buy at all do shape our identity especially in the case of green lifestyles.
Green lifestyle means having taking decisions and actions that reduce the
consumption of goods, energy and water. According to Horton, socialization through
shared practices, networks, spaces, and times can create positive changes and
influence individuals to adopt sustainable practices. Taken from the article, the
green practices shared by the interviewers were:
o People buy less and try to extend the life of what they have.
o They recycle (cans, plastic, glass, newspaper, junk mail)
o They use cloth bags, compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs.
o They avoid kitchen paper products.
o They keep their thermostats low in winter and rarely if ever use air
conditioners.
o They take short showers and run hot water heater on low.
o They use baking soda instead of commercial green cleaning products.
o They do large loads in the dishwasher and in the washing machine.
o They use clotheslines or drying racks.
o They grow their own food, and cook from scratch buying local and
organic food.
o They avoid red meat or are vegetarians/vegans.
o They buy recycled toilet paper and tissues.
o They use restrictors on water faucets.
o They have rain barrels or rain gardens and they reuse gray water.
o They ride their bicycles to work or carpool.
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o They shop at and donate to thrift stores/consignment shops or pick
things up off the curb.
o They have solar panels on their roofs or pay a premium for renewable
energy through their local provider.
o They use geothermal power to heat and cool their homes.
o They own a hybrid card.
Lorenzen (2012) research shows that green practices are more likely to
multiply if the individual defines those practices as a meaningful part of a larger
project. At the beginning of the changing process decisions and actions are highly
deliberative but as actions develop they become automatic responses. This
research explains the idea of a new lifestyle do-yourself mechanism called
bricolage. It states that bricolage includes materials and practices from old lifestyles
and seeing them with a new perspective allows the person to recombine them with
newly adopted materials, practices, and environmental discourses in order to form a
new pattern. This study concludes by stating that a change in behavior follows a
change in values.
Relationships between consumerism and well-being of people
According to a research done by Bauer, et al, (2012) individuals living a
materialistic lifestyle tend to feel more anxiety, unhappiness and lower quality of
social relationship. In other words, materialistic individuals tend to experience low
levels of well-being. This study also points out that money brings a self-sufficiency
orientation where people prefer to have greater distance from others, and to help
others less. This study also asserts that when we invest in efforts to improve a
community we find happiness, health and life satisfaction. These researchers state
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that a wide variety of correlational studies indicates that individuals who score
higher in materialism values have lower levels of mental and physical well-being.
Another study by Kasser, et al, (2013) indicated that money matters and can buy
some happiness however more money does not mean more happiness and it
eventually erodes happiness and sometimes happiness does not require money.
Thus the authors of this article suggest that thrift is a better alternative. The ten
ways they suggested were “cure ills before seeking thrills, meet needs before
indulging desires, don’t borrow - buy it outright, postpone pleasure, learn the thrill
of saving, don’t impress- enjoy, don’t hoard - share, don’t have- do, don’t forget-
focus, don’t binge – savor” (Kasser, et al, 2013, p. 13-39).
Conclusion
The purpose of this literature was to unequivocally identify the perceptions of
consumerism and how adopting a less materialistic lifestyle help negate this
impulsive drive. It is clear to understand how our consumerist habits have evolved
in the past and why we are where we are right now as a society, as individuals. It is
alarming to see how organizations invest their money to shape consumers behavior
the way they want making desire things that most likely don’t need. By doing this,
these organizations are not only affecting and manipulating our minds but also are
making us be responsible for consuming goods where their production threatens the
environment. All of this happens while we keep on living an illusion and not noticing
the real intentions of the very few institutions and wealthy individuals controlling
the media, the food and consumer goods industry. Now that I’m fully aware of
these issues I came to the realization that education is a crucial part of the
changing process. Unfortunately, children are the most vulnerable to be influenced
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by a culture of consumerism. However, I strongly believe that through education I
can instill in children the rejection of a materialistic lifestyle. Growing spiritually,
experiencing nature, embracing community values, human relationships and
sustainable practices is the best instrument to cancel out the impulsive drive of
consumerism. With the help and guidance of an eco-art school children will develop
critical thinking and a sense of identity and they will adopt the innate attitudes of
cooperation, self-love and empathy we once lost. Children will be able to
understand the connections and interdependency of all living things. I will leave you
with these two quotes from the late Terence McKenna, an American philosopher and
ethnobotanist, which much relate to the topics I have previously discussed,
“Culture is not your friend. Culture is for other peoples’ convenience and the
convenience of various institutions, churches, companies, tax collection schemes,
what have you. It is not your friend. It insults you. It disempowers you. It uses and
abuses you. None of us are well-treated by culture.”[...]But the culture is a
perversion. It fetishizes objects. It creates consumer mania. It preaches endless
forms of false happiness, endless forms of false understanding in the form of
squirrelly religions and silly cults. It invites people to diminish themselves and
dehumanize themselves by behaving like machines.”
“We have to create culture, don’t watch TV, don’t read magazines, don’t even listen
to NPR. Create your own roadshow. The nexus of space and time where you are now
is the most immediate sector of your universe, and if you’re worrying about Michael
Jackson or Bill Clinton or somebody else, then you are disempowered, you’re giving
it all away to icons, icons which are maintained by an electronic media so that you
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want to dress like X or have lips like Y. This is shit-brained, this kind of thinking.
That is all cultural diversion, and what is real is you and your friends and your
associations, your highs, your orgasms, your hopes, your plans, your fears. And we
are told ‘no’, we’re unimportant, we’re peripheral. ‘Get a degree, get a job, get a
this, get a that.’ And then you’re a player, you don’t want to even play in that game.
You want to reclaim your mind and get it out of the hands of the cultural engineers
who want to turn you into a half-baked moron consuming all this trash that’s being
manufactured out of the bones of a dying world.”
List of References
Banbury, C., & Stinerock, R., & Subrahmanyan, S. (2011). Sustainable consumption:
Introspecting across
multiple lived cultures. Journal of Business Research, 65(4), 497-503, ISSN
0148-2963, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.02.028.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296311000610)
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Bauer M.A., Wilkie J.E.B., Kim J.K., & Bodenhausen G.V. (2012). Cuing Consumerism:
Situational Materialism Undermines Personal and Social Well-
Being. Psychological Science, 23 (5), 517-523.
Briceno, T., & Stagl, S. (2006). The role of social processes for sustainable
consumption, Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(17), 1541-1551. ISSN 0959-
6526, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.01.027.
(
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095965260600085
0)
Bates, J. (n.d.). Terence McKenna’s Disillusioned Perspective on Mass-Consumerist
Culture | Refine The Mind. Retrieved April 5, 2014, from
http://www.refinethemind.com/terence-mckenna-on-culture/
Buenstorf, G., & Cordes, C. (2008). Can sustainable consumption be learned? A
model of cultural evolution. Ecological Economics, 67(4), 646-657, ISSN 0921-8009,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2008.01.028.
Chancellor, J., & Lyubomirsky, L. (2012). Money for Happiness: The Hedonic Benefits
of
Thrift. Consumer’s dilemma: The search for well-being in the material world.
New York: Springer.
Damme, I. V., & Vermoesen, R. (2009). Second-hand consumption as a way of life:
Public auctions in the surroundings of alost in the late eighteenth
century. Continuity and Change, 24(2), 275-305. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0268416009007188
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
Day, G. S., & Aaker, D. A. (1970). A Guide to Consumerism. Journal of Marketing,
34(3), 12-19.
Elliott, R. (2013). The taste for green: The possibilities and dynamics of status
differentiation through “green” consumption. Poetics, 41(3), 294-322. ISSN
0304-422X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.poetic.2013.03.003.
Figueroa-Rosario, W. (2003). Exploration of the meaning and process of wellness
among families in Vieques: A qualitative study. ProQuest Dissertations and
Theses, 346-346. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.fiu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/
288104798?accountid=10901. (288104798).
Goss, J. (2006). Geographies of consumption: the work of consumption. Progress in
Human Geography, 30(2), 237-249. doi:10.1191/0309132506ph604pr
Hill, J. A. (2011). Endangered childhoods: How consumerism is impacting child and
youth identity. Media, Culture & Society, 33, 347-
362. doi:10.1177/0163443710393387
Hofmeister-Tóth, Á., Kelemen, K., & Piskóti, M. (2011). Environmentally conscious
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51-68. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/SocEc.33.2011.1.6
Kasser, T., Rosenblum, K. L., Sameroff, A. J., Deci, E. L., Niemiec, C. P., Ryan, R.
M., ... & Hawks, S. (2013). Changes in materialism, changes in psychological
well-being: Evidence from three longitudinal studies and an intervention
experiment. Motivation and Emotion, 38(1), 1-22.
Kellogg, C. (2005), Eco Imperative. Archit Design, 75, 100–102. doi: 10.1002/ad.25
Kruger, M. H. (2001). The influence of the 1960s countercultural values of
individualism, anti-materialism, and community on a contemporary
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intentional community. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 456-456.
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304729737?accountid=10901. (304729737).
Lee, M., Pant, A., & Ali, A. (2010). Does the Individualist Consumer More? The
Interplay of Ethics and Beliefs that Governs Consumerism Across Cultures.
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Manktelow, R. (2011). Community, consumerism and credit: the experience of an
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257-274, doi:10.1080/13668803.2010.520839
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6526, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2007.01.009.
Nguyen, L. T. (2003). Growing up in a material world: An investigation of the
development of materialism in children and adolescents. ProQuest
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305330353?accountid=10901. (305330353).
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Sanne, C. (2002). Willing consumers—or locked-in? Policies for a sustainable
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(
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1)
Terry, L. (2013). The Perils of Consumption and the Gift Economy as the Solution
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1(35). Retrieved from: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/46x4z1td
Zukin, S., & Maguire, J. (2004). Consumers and Consumption. Annual Review of
Sociology, 30(1), 173-197. doi: 10.1146/annurev.soc.30.012703.110553
List of Figures
Figure 1
http://jonathanmoore.com/post/978060561/is-consumerism-killing-our-creativity
Appendix A
I. Introduction
Background
Purpose of Study
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
Significance of Study
II. Literature Review
The basis of Consumerism
Negative characteristics of consumerism
Sustainable consumption approach
Concept
Sustainable consumption associated with social class
Sustainable consumption associate with culture
Relationships between consumerism and well-being of people
III. Conclusion
IV. List of References
V. Appendix A
Outline
VI. Appendix B
Annotated Bibliography
Appendix B
Annotated Bibliography
A. Initial Thesis Project Questions and Purpose
Central Question:
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
How may interior design affect the negative perception of consumerism in our
society today with a particular focus on the issues associated with a potential
conflict between consumerism and sustainability?
Subquestion 1: What are the bases of consumerism?
Subquestion 2: What are the current negative characteristics of
consumerism?
Subquestion 3: What is sustainable consumption?
Subquestion 4: Is sustainable consumption associated with a certain
population or culture?
Subquestion 5: Is there a relationship between materialism and the well-
being of people?
Purpose Statement: The purpose of this study is to identify the perceptions of
consumerism and how adopting a less materialistic lifestyle helps negate this
impulsive drive.
B. BOK
Categories I found in the Body of Knowledge:
Human Environment needs
Design
Products & Materials
Communication
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
C. Reading List
The following are some of the articles I have found using the FIU library.
Subquestion 1: What are the bases of consumerism?
1) Kruger, M. H. (2001). The influence of the 1960s countercultural
values of individualism, anti-materialism, and community on a
contemporary intentional community. ProQuest Dissertations and
Theses, 456-456. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.fiu.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/304729737?
accountid=10901. (304729737).
Author Credentials: Mark H. Kruger accomplished s a Bachelor of Arts degree with
a major in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1970. He
also achieved a Juris Doctor degree from Washington University in 1973. Kruger has
practiced law since 1973 and has written and lectured on various legal issues. He
has taught courses at Saint Louis University in the Departments of American
Studies, Sociology and Criminal Justice at Washington University. He expects to
receive a Doctor of Philosophy degree in American Studies from Saint Louis
University in 2001.
Journal/Publisher: UMI University Microfilms International was founded in 1930s
by Eugene Power in Ann Arbor. UMI provides an economical alternative to graduate
students to offset printing as a means of meeting their doctoral publication
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
requirements. As of today, a vast number of educational institutions in the U.S.
publish their doctoral dissertations through UMI. By 1995, UMI starting offering
online availability to selected database at no cost, becoming the origins of was is
now known as ProQuest Online Information Service.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information presented in this study was fact and well-
researched. This information can be supported by historical documents and
literature. The ideas and arguments that were explained do advanced in line with
other works I have read on the same topic.
Methodology: This research used the Social Constructivist Worldview which beliefs
that meanings are negotiated socially and historically. This study is qualitative
because the author collected, analyzed and interpreted historical information and
he also conducted interviews. I think the paradigm and method is appropriate to the
topic because the author compiled rich, detailed historical data that contributed to
an in-depth understand of the context.
Coverage: This material uses primary sources which are published rules and
regulations, by law-s and other internal legislation. Also the author uses interviews
of approximately 75 current members of the East Wind community.
Writing Style: The main points of this study are clearly presented. However, I
thought that the information was repetitive. The information presented was easy to
read and the author was very thorough in the different aspects of the influence of
the 9160s countercultural values of individualism, anti-materialism and community.
Findings + Significances:
In the 1960s the United States went through significant changes in society,
politics, and culture.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
This study analyzes the countercultural emphasis on individualism, anti-
materialism and the longing of the people to find a contemporary community.
The first community he mentions and analyzes is the East Wind Community
located in Ozark County, Missouri.
o This is a community that has proper for the past 27 years due to its
highly successful businesses and their continuous sustenance from the
operation of its farm.
o This community shares the profits of its businesses equally to the
members of the community and it is governed in a democratic way.
The author states that this community is much influenced by the behavioral
modification theory written by B.F. Skinner in his utopian novel ‘Walden Two’.
o This theory is an attempt to influence individual’s conduct by
controlling their environment. The author describes certain values that
have been attributed to the social movements happening in the 1960s.
Those values are:
1) “The concept of individualism insofar as it relates to the dignity of the
individual person and to his or her empowerment and participation in
decision-making which affects his or her life.” Page 4
2) “The concept of anti-materialism and the search for spiritual as opposed to
materialistic values.” Page 4
3) “The search for a sense of community in order to counteract the isolation of
the individual in everyday life.” Page 4
The author asserts during the 1960s students and young people were
responsible for much of the cultural and political change.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
o During this period the Students for a Democratic Society movement
was created.
o They wrote a statement of philosophy. In this document called for the
treatment of people as important and empowered human beings and
to create a new sense of community where individuals are able to
interact in a meaningful way.
o They criticized the materialistic values, the lack of dignity and
empowerment of the individual in post-war America.
There is a concept of individualism by Steven Lukes where he describes it as
the opposition to authority and stressed the dignity, self-development and
autonomy of the individual.
According to this research, the concepts of individual dignity and
empowerment were also part of American Literature.
o For instance Walt Whitman thought that everyone was entitled to
dignity, no matter social class or race.
It is further explained that during the 19th century and the introduction of the
machine Transcendentalists of New England despised the results of
industrialization on the individual.
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau appeared in the picture
expressing their concerned with the new relationship people have with the
world and nature.
o They thought that the way to live a meaningful life is by experience
nature, reject material interest, and exercising independence from
social restraints.
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o Emerson’s thoughts in his work “Self-Reliance” are so deep. He feels
that with the industrial age, man has become an unthinking money
making machine. Instead of growing spiritually society back in that
period was more concern in material values.
o Materialism distorted people’s nature and consequently creating their
own alienation of what was the essence of life.
o In the same manner, Thoreau despised the life of material society and
called Americans to stop seeking material possessions.
According to Thorstein Veblen materialist values and incentives have the
effect of dividing people from each other, destroying community, and
distorting human relationships, resulting in competitive and destructive
conduct.
Another point of view is stated by Frank Norris in ‘The Octopus’.
o He thought that the drives for wealth cause the destruction of the land
and the farmer’s lives to construct railroads.
Much of American literature reflected a refusal of the longing of accumulation
of wealth.
There were plenty of communities in the 1960s that wanted freedom from
the exploitation of themselves and others.
o They rejected hierarchy and sought to replace the materialistic values
with spiritual values.
Typology application: With this research in mind, I can create an educational
typology such as a museum where individuals could learn the history of
consumerism in regards to individualism, and materialism and communal values. I
could also develop a community for children where they are taught these values. I
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
need to create an environment that teaches to love one another and do good to
others developing a sense of community empowered by human beings.
Quotations:
1. “It also criticized the materialistic values it perceived as then existing in the
United States and called for a new sense of community, where people were
able to interact as human beings in a meaningful way instead of what is
viewed as the isolation of the individual in mass society.” Page 17
2. “The New England Transcendentalists abhorred the result of industrialism on
the individual. They rejected its intrusion on life and its demand for
conformity. It distorted the human psyche and made man and women into
things they naturally were not.” Page 31
3. “They felt that all things were connected or unified, and the way to know and
to live life was spiritually and not materially. Experiencing nature, rejecting
material interests, and exercising independence from social restraints were
keys to understanding and living a spiritually fulfilling and meaningful life.”
Page 31
4. “In the new industrial age, machines in America were controlling people;
people were not controlling machines. Materialism mastered human freedom
and nature.” Page 32
2) Zukin, S., & Maguire, J. (2004). Consumers and Consumption. Annual
Review of Sociology, 30(1), 173-197. doi:
10.1146/annurev.soc.30.012703.110553
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Author Credentials: Sharon Zukin works in the Department of Sociology at
Brooklyn College and in the Graduate Center at the City University of New York.
Jennifer Smith Maguire works in the Department of Sociology at the University of
Leicester in the UK.
Journal: Annual Review of Sociology.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information is this research appears to be valid. The
information is opinion and facts taken from other sources. The language used by the
researchers is free of emotion-arousing word and bias.
Methodology: The methodology paradigm used is the Social Constructivist
Worldview because in this worldview meanings are negotiated socially and
historically, just like in this research. Meanings in this study were formed through
historical and cultural norms that operate in individuals lives.
Coverage: The coverage was research on consumer products, texts, and sites,
which locate consumption at the junction of changing social structures and cultural
practices; on the role of consumption in constructing both the consuming subject
and collective identity; and on historical transitions to a consumer society. The data
included ethnography, interviews, and historical analysis which shows a global
consumer culture fostered by media and marketing professionals yet subject to
different local interpretations.
Writing Style: The information in this article was organized logically and all its
main points clearly presented.
Findings + Significances:
The authors study the role of consumption and its effect on societal changes
by viewing the process of consumption as an “institutional field”.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
The review draws on the works by several noted sociologists to understand
the consumer culture and its evolution over time.
o The review begins by analyzing the material setting of the institutional
field in studies of development of consumption sites and social
construction of consumption.
The review then shifts its focus on the transition from state socialism to a
market economy.
The study ends by outlining an emerging sociological approach to studying
consumption as an institutional field through close, detailed research of
consumer products, texts, and sites, which locate consumption at the
junction of changing social structures and cultural practices
Results of the study reveal how consumption bridges economic and cultural
institutions, large-scale changes in social structure, and self-discourses.
Ethnography, interviews, and historical analysis show a global consumer
culture fostered by media and marketing professionals which are subject to
different local interpretations.
Typology application: This research showed me that from the industrial
revolution companies and the media have constantly manipulated the consumers’
minds to create visions and identities of the self that are not real. For this reason, I
think that an educational project is the best solution to the consumerism problem. I
want to be able to communicate through an environment a sense of community,
identity, and sustainable practices.
Quotations:
1. “Contemporary studies of consumer products and sites date from the 1970s
and early 1980s – the very period when the more developed economies of
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the world were shifting from manufacturing to “postindustrial” production,
and consumption was becoming a more visible factor in both the creative
destruction of the landscape (Zukin 1991) and the conscious reshaping of the
self (Featherstone 1991).” Page 176
2. “To the extent that it is theorized, this work strongly suggests that mass
consumption was produced by manipulating consumers’ desires to be well
dressed, good looking, and beloved; to surround themselves with visions of
beauty; and to surrender common sense and sobriety to individual dreams of
self-enhancement.” Page 176
3. “Parr (1999) documents how, from the 1930s to the 1950s, companies
changed refrigerator models every year and copied automobile styling down
to the last detail; they planned both the products’ physical obsolescence and
their “emotional obsolescence” in consumers’ eyes (see also Ewen 1999).”
Page 179
4. “Historical content analyses of advertising in the early twentieth century note
an increasing emphasis on self-realization (Lears 1983), the importance of
first impressions (Marchand 1985), and the viability of improving oneself
through consumption.” Page 181
3) Damme, I. V., & Vermoesen, R. (2009). Second-hand consumption as
a way of life: Public auctions in the surroundings of alost in the late
eighteenth century. Continuity and Change, 24(2), 275-305. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0268416009007188
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
Author Credentials: Ilja Van Damme and Reinoud Vermoesen. Both from the
Centre for Urban History, University of Antwerp.
Journal: Continuity and Change 24 (2), 2009, 275-305. Cambridge University Press
2009.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered was facts. The authors go back in
history to make a research of pre-industrial reuse habits related to public auctions
in the countryside of the southern Netherlands. Thus, the information appears to be
well-researched and supported by evidence. This article presents arguments that
are undistorted by emotion related to second hand consumption and I think the
author’s point of view was objective and impartial.
Methodology: The methodology paradigm used is the Post-Positivist Worldview.
Postpositivists begin with a theory and then collect the data that makes them come
to some understanding of how people used to construct and maintain the
perception of the world back in those days. This study is using a combined method.
It shows some numerical data in regards to the specific years in which a village
engaged in public actions activities and how much percent it would increase or
decrease according to certain categories. It is also a qualitative study in that they
are examining the relationship among variables measured on instruments.
Coverage: The researchers did an empirical structured case study, isolated in
space and time. They based their study from data collected and apply it to a village
of the eighteen century in Erembodegen, Europe. “Yet in placing the second-hand
consumption in this specific context, we demonstrate how the reuse of older
products was not confined to the poor and the weak.” Page 276 Counting on
historical facts adds credibility to the study. The data collected was from primary
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
sources. This study contains new information that gives a totally different
perspective to second hand consumption.
Writing Style: The text was easy to understand and the information was organized
in a logical manner with the main ideas clearly presented.
Findings + Significances:
Studies of consumption tend to be only related to the acquisition of new
products and the risen patterns of novel consumption.
This study states that the reasons for second hand acquisition are drawn by
individual motives.
o Also individuals have goals of the household involved or they are
depended on a particular product like clothing.
Furthermore the authors speculate about the reasons for the activity of
buying and selling second hand objects.
o The authors state it could be as a survival strategy and/or as a
meaningful consumer strategy.
Under the context of their study, I learned that the people in the village
engage in activities such as public actions where they would sell deceased’s
possessions, furniture, kitchen goods, clothing and so on.
It is interesting to know that everybody was free to buy in the public actions.
o There was no specific social class associated with it because all social
classes would engage in this activity.
Auctioned objects moved between homes of the same social status and
different social status as well.
By the end of the eighteen century second hand consumption became a sign
of poverty.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
o As a consequence individuals from lower social classes desired goods
from higher social classes; it was a pattern that looked to imitate
higher social economic status.
To conclude the authors indicate that reuse is seen as a reaction to the
modern day abundance of good. I could use this reaction and transform it
into something positive.
Typology application: This study opened up the possibilities to create a typology
related to retail. Centuries ago second hand consumption was not only devoted for
low class people. Individuals bought from other individuals goods that were needed
and that were in good shape. It would be interesting to create a retail store that
sells useful goods that were made from recyclable material or create an
environment where people can come and exchange their goods for something else
they need.
Quotations:
1. “Indeed, purchasing older belongings can be linked to notions of social
identity and status.” Page 290
2. “Buying older products of good quality, especially in an eighteenth-century
market with changing standards of product durability was a ‘clever
investment’”. Page 291-292
3. “Second-hand consumption was truly a way of life or, as Donald Woodward
noted in a pioneering work: ‘Few goods were lightly abandoned; fewer still
were left to rot by the roadside’.” Page 295
4. “Besides the importance of the objects purchased, there must also be
acknowledgement of the specific social and geographical background of the
buyers and sellers of older goods.” Page 297
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
4) Day, G. S., & Aaker, D. A. (1970). A Guide to Consumerism. Journal of
Marketing, 34(3), 12-19.
Author Credentials: George S. Day is an assistant professor of marketing in the
Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. Originally he obtained his PhD
at Columbia University. In addition he is the author of Buyer Attitudes and Brand
Choice Behavior and he has written several papers on attitude theory and
measurement. The other author is David Aaker. He is an assistant professor of
business administration at the University of California at Berkeley. He earned his MS
and PhD degrees at Stanford University. In addition he is a member of the editorial
board of the Journal of Marketing Research and he has also written papers.
Journal: Journal of Marketing, Vol. 34 (July, 1970), pp. 12-19
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered in this article was based on factual
information. It appears to be valid information explaining what consumerism, where
did it come from is and its future. The ideas and arguments do advanced in line with
other works on the same topic. I think the authors of this article have an impartial
point of view. Personally I think that the authors uses words throughout the article
that show facts.
Methodology: This article used a non-qualitative approach to reach its conclusions.
The authors do point out surveys, statistics and opinion from other people in the
field. The vocabulary they used is explanatory and formal. Authors used a Post-
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
positivist Worldview because they began explaining an issue collecting the data that
supported this argument. In addition, they assessed the causes of consumerism.
Coverage: This article is written in July 1970, which means that it doesn’t update
other sources. However it allowed me to learn about the basis of consumerism. In
addition this article is secondary material in nature.
Writing Style: I think the publication is organized logically because is presented
starting with the history then it describes the concerns and issues, the causes and
the findings. All the points are clearly presented. Personally, I think that it was an
easy writing style that allowed me to understand the author’s point of view.
Findings + Significances:
It starts describing consumerism using the words of one of the earliest
adopters of the term, Vance Packard.
o He “linked consumerism with strategies for persuading consumers to
quickly expand their needs and wants by making them voracious,
compulsive (and wasteful)” (Day, 1970, p13).
This article describes the right of consumers which are:
o Protection against clear-cut abuses.
o Provision of adequate information.
o The protection of consumers against themselves and other consumers.
This article later explains that the underlying causes of consumerisms are a
discontented consumer and the activist consumer.
o Discontented consumers exit because there are problems in the
marketplace, problems in the social fabric.
Business and marketing companies distinguish these sources of
discontent so they can create products and advertisement.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
o On the other hand the activist consumers are individuals who are able
to identify and make those problems public.
The article further explains that there is a changing in the political and legal
scene because there are government agencies that protect consumers and
the Congress itself is reactive to the economic interest of consumers.
Finally the article states the future of consumerism stating that the ultimate
challenge of consumerism is to solve the problems of a society.
Typology application: This article made me realize that I need to create an
environment that helps to solve at least one the problems of a society like pollution
or malnutrition. Also the authors explained that one of the sources of discontent in
the marketplace is the confusion with products that are bought infrequently with
makes me think I need to create a design that is simple, recognizable but thorough
at the same time that fits all social classes. As a typology it would be interesting to
create something that merges educational and retail.
Quotations:
1. “Vance Packard, one of the earliest adopters of the term, linked consumerism
with strategies for persuading consumers to quickly expand their needs and
wants by making them “voracious, compulsive (and wasteful).” Page 12
2. “There is a high probability that the scope of consumerism will eventually
subsume, or be subsumed by two other areas of social concern; distortions
and inequities in the economic environment and the declining quality of the
physical environment.” Page 14
3. “…the vastly increased number of consumer products and the misleading,
deceptive and generally uninformative aspects of advertising and packaging,
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
the consumer simply lacks the information necessary to enable him to buy
wisely.” Page 15
4. “…sophisticated consumers are demanding more personal relationships and
security in their purchases.” Page 16
5) Goss, J. (2006). Geographies of consumption: the work of
consumption. Progress in Human Geography, 30(2), 237-249.
doi:10.1191/0309132506ph604pr
Author Credentials: John Gross works in the Department of Geography at the
University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI.
Journal: Progress in Human Geography Journal.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information is mostly opinion. The arguments advanced
in line with other works I have read on the same topic so I think that the information
is valid.
Methodology: This study uses the Social Constructivist Worldview because the
researcher analyzed social and historical aspects of the geographies of
consumption. This study was a qualitative.
Coverage: This work marginally covers my topic. However it clearly substantiates
other materials I have read. The material is secondary in nature.
Writing Style: I think this article was easy to read and all the information was
arranged in a logical manner.
Findings + Significances:
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This study points out the different cultures of consumption showing how
global brands customize their products to accommodate to deceiving needs
of consumers.
According to this research globalization impacts consumerism making
approximately 1.1 billion ‘new consumers’ pursuing the so dream western
lifestyle; thus increasing consumption of cars, meat and electricity.
It is mentioned also that even furniture and fashion commodity chains
manipulate the fashion of furniture to accelerate the lifecycle of products.
o For instance in Denmark, exterior spaces express social status and
interiors declare love of family.
This study argues that individuals are disillusioned with the mall idea, and
that an open-air ‘neo-village’ will be the new trend that liberates shopping.
In addition, it is stated in this research that individuals shop because we are
no longer connected to nature or even worse we don’t make good ourselves.
The author concludes that we need more spiritual education and critically
judge mass media so we can discover the hidden intentions of companies.
Typology application: I want to create an educational/hospitality typology where
individuals go back to their roots, back to nature, and where they learn to adopt an
anti-consumerist behavior.
Quotations:
1. “Now consumers too are disillusioned with the mall and, according to
Underhill (2004:211), for basically the same reason: that malls are built by
real-estate developers not retailers, let alone community planners. For him,
only mixed-use open-air ‘neo-villages’ will ‘liberate shopping and keep it
real’.” Page 243-244
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
2. “Zukin (2004:8) argues, however, that, ultimately, we shop because we are
no longer connected to nature or make goods ourselves and it is one of the
few means left of creating value, pursuing meaning, and for fashioning ideal
self and society. We shop to ‘fill the gap’ between a perfect self and
imperfections of reality, ‘between flawed thighs or hips and a physical ideal’
(Zukin, 2004:92) and to realize ideals of social virtue no longer available in
religion, work or politics (see also Poster, 2004; Samuelson, 2004).” Page 244
3. “Beaudoin (2003: xiii, 106; see also Atkin, 2004) argues that consumers are
‘soulfully hungry persons’ and that there is an ‘authentic spiritual impulse at
the heart of our branding economy’ based on a desire to be recognized by
others under the sign of a power greater than ourselves.” Page 245
4. “Beaudoin (2003) similarly calls for scriptural education and collective
contemplation of mass media, together with research on the economic
relationships that contemporary brands obscure: he describes as a kind of
pilgrimage his own attempts to search out the origins of the brand-name
products in his personal wardrobe.” Page 246
Subquestion 2: What are the current negative characteristics of
consumerism?
1) Sanne, C. (2002). Willing consumers—or locked-in? Policies for a
sustainable consumption. Ecological Economics, 42(1–2), 273-287,
ISSN 0921-8009, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8009(02)00086-1.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800902000861)
Author Credentials: Christer Sanne works at Urban Studies in the Royal Institute
of Techonology (KTH) in Sweden.
Journal: Ecological Economics Journal. This journal is concerned with extending and
integrating the study of ecology and economics.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is fact and opinion. The
information appears to be valid and well researched. The researcher uses different
sources to bring valid point from the historical, economic and social perspective.
Methodology: The methodology paradigm used is the Pragmatic Worldview. This
worldview is concerned with applications and solutions to the problems and that is
what I thought the researcher was doing in this study. Additionally, the study is
qualitative because this is a means for exploring and understanding the meaning
individuals or a society attributes to a social problem, in this case consumerism.
Coverage: The coverage includes the data from the consumption patterns of three
types of people named People, Business and The Political Class, where people
represent consumers, business as sellers and political class as political influence
and control of power. A triangular scheme is developed to formally model the
interaction between the three sets of people. Thus, this scheme provides an
accurate representation of the de-facto consumer classes and a near accurate
representation of the interactions therein.
Writing Style: The article had all the main points presented clearly and the
information was organized in a logical manner.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
Findings + Significances:
The author presents a perspective argument on the consumer approach
towards sustainable consumption.
The study proposes an alternative hypothesis to postmodern explanations of
consumer behavior which attribute social and psychological factors, also
structural issues like work-and-spend lifestyle to the status quo by suggesting
the consumers may be a victim of the circumstances.
Results of the study shows that consumers may be a captive of
circumstances and may not been keen in following such a mundane lifestyle.
The study proposes legal and political intervention to assist the citizens to
promote a change of behavior.
Results of the study offer a possible solution in terms of reduced working
hours to enhance sustainability.
The study suggests that shorter working hours would give double dividends
by allowing people to live more lightly while enjoying more leisure.
The paper further discusses solutions in the form of policy actions that might
help to unlock consumers from a pattern of consumption driven by the
market forces.
Typology application: This article opened up the possibility of creating a
hospitality project. I can create an eco-village where people assist to workshops for
a certain amount of time and where they could learn how to adopt a more
sustainable lifestyle. This eco-village will be an example of a sustainable hotel.
Quotations:
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
1. “Moving towards a sustainable consumption may in the end be a task for the
individual but the debate about this must also acknowledge the structural
factors that surround her.” (p. 274)
2. “Ours is a ‘consumer culture’ where every human wish tends to be
transformed into a commercial object or service” (p. 279)
3. “Everyone has the same needs and that society’s goal should be to maximise
happiness for all.” (p. 284)
4. “A socially well-knit society with a large social capital may not only reduce
the quest for consumption but also increase the acceptability of policy
measures against overconsumption.” (p. 285)
2) Hill, J. A. (2011). Endangered childhoods: How consumerism is
impacting child and youth identity. Media, Culture &
Society, 33, 347-362. doi:10.1177/0163443710393387
Author Credentials: Jennifer Ann Hill from the University of British Columbia,
Canada.
Journal: Media, Culture & Society 2011 33:347
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students/General audience
Objective Reasoning: The information covered were facts from well researched
sources. The ideas and arguments are related to consumerism in children and it is
in line with what I’m researching. The author’s point of view is objective using a
language in her written that was free from emotion-arousing words.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
Methodology: The methodology paradigm used was the Pragmatic Worldview. The
author focus the attention on the research problem in social science research and
then arrived to the conclusion using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Coverage: This research substantiates other sources and added new information in
that it points out the several negative effects consumerism have on children’s
mental and physical health. This article covered my topic in a more narrow way
because it was focus on children. This study uses primary and secondary sources to
obtain the variety of viewpoints.
Writing Style: The information is organized logically and all the main points were
presented clearly. The information is easy to read. She provided plenty of sources to
make her work credible and more understandable.
Findings + Significances:
This study points out how the pervasive media, technology and a culture of
consumption are affecting the structure of childhood.
Modern children are being affected from a significant physical, emotional and
social deficit that can be blamed on consumerism.
Although technology has helped education immensely it has also generated
an anti-social behavior in children reinforcing pattern like racism and sexism.
Influential corporations and media have been able to infiltrate past
differences of class, ethnicity and gender.
Children are being deprived of the series of childhood experiences that
would have had if it was not for consumers.
The power of media is responsible for the drive towards the materialism and
over consumption that is constantly destabilizing children’s identity.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
This research reveals that play has become professionalized and tainted with
adult cues, imaginations and expectations.
o This finding makes me realized that I need to create an interior
environment that strengthens and actives the creative mind of a child.
o A new positive realm for today’s children is much needed; a realm that
cancels out perversity, dishonor, confusion and consumerism.
It is very interesting to note that children’s play is no longer an expression of
joy with no specific purpose but rather it has become an activity that is
controlled by companies looking desperately to make profits at whatever
cost.
o As a consequence the capacity for play automatically erodes.
According to this research there is a social phenomenon called the “tween”
which is an unmistakable example of consumerism.
o This phenomenon occurs as a result of media seducing children to
adopt an identity older than their developmental age.
It is mentioned in this research that marketing companies are hiring child
psychologists to maximize their understanding of the segments and nuances
of the youth market.
o All the pervasive media creates issues of identity in children that are
directly linked to negative health indicators such as addictions. .
o Children that have an addiction problem have previously internalized
an identity that justifies this type of behavior.
Marketing companies sell an identity with their goods that children will crave
to adopt.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
o In other words, consumerism is guilty of creating a culture that
tolerates the negation of a positive self-image.
The authors reveal that the statistics of children’s health point to a disturbing
trend that children are being robbed of their childhood at an emotional and
physical level.
o Serious problems of early obesity, drug abuse, alcohol use, depression
and suicide rates are linked in some way or the other to the
consequences of consumerism.
o These findings urge me to create an environment that creates a
culture of love and acceptance of the self and others.
Children have a cognitive capacity and through television children are being
exposed to powerful messaging, shaping attitudes, motivation, behavior and
lastly, one’s identity.
o Unfortunately, brand loyalty is sought from the cradle.
Children’s play is so important in their early years because they are able to
express themselves and gain a sense of control over their world.
Consumerism through the advertisement of technological products for
children is jeopardizing an environment that allows creativity and critical
thinking.
o As a result, identity suffers because children learn at an early stage
that happiness is based on material goods that define them.
We are all constantly manipulated to think that we can find happiness
through consumption and as a result we are blindfolded dreaming the same
consumerist dream.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
Marketing companies are working hard to exploit children’s aspirations for a
certain physical or mental attitude/ characteristic.
o I want on the other hand to create an environment that exploits
children creativity, critical thinking and that creates a connection to
nature.
This research states that more than half of the brand used in childhood
continue to be used in adulthood, and that children starting at 3 years can be
avid consumers.
o This definitely helps me to set up the target market for my design
Typology application: I want to design an environment for children that will
positively influence them at an early age and that what they have perceived and
learned stay deep their conscious in their adulthoods. It is said in this article that
brand can essentially perform two main roles for consumer’s identity. The first one
is an emotional role by creating means of identification and the second is a social
role that means that what you owe is who you are. Equally I want my design to
perform an emotional role by creating a means of identification with sustainability
and a social role so children that what they create in terms of creativity is who they
are. Research has shown that children tend to adopt certain negative behavior and
attitudes when are exposed to ads and programming so I will create an
environment for children where they can adopt positive, loving attitudes about
themselves, where they create a connection to nature, where they learn that
happiness if not about the goods that you own, where their creativity is aroused. An
environment that does not professes the acquisition of goods, wealth, but the
acquisition of knowledge and love and the transformation of used goods to
something creative. I want create an environment that negates consumerism and
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
possible solved the anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and psychosomatic symptoms
that comes along with it. This could be an eco-village that mixes hospitality with
educational typology. It could also be a sustainable design school where students
are able to live in mixing educational and residential typologies.
Quotations:
1. “Statistics on children’s health point to a disturbing trend – children are being
robbed of their childhoods not only at an emotional level, but physically as
well.” Page 350
2. “To put it further in perspective, based on surveys of what type of television
programming children watch, the average child sees about 12,000 violent
acts, 14,000 sexual references and innuendos and 20,000 advertisements
annually (Bar-on, 2000, emphasis added).” Page 351
3. “Despite decades of research, what is clear is that the effects of
consumerism, in which advertising plays an important role, are
psychologically and psychologically and physically harmful (Dittmar, 2007;
Kasser et al., 2007; Kramer, 2006; Linn, 2004; Schor, 2004).” Page 352
4. “Consequently, children learn at an early age that conformity, defining self-
worth by what you worn, and seeking happiness through acquisition of
material goods are traits towards which to aspire. These are antithetical to
creativity, characterized by originality and the capacity for critical thinking.”
Page 352
3) Nguyen, L. T. (2003). Growing up in a material world: An
investigation of the development of materialism in children and
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
adolescents. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 190-190 p.
Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.fiu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/
305330353?accountid=10901. (305330353).
Author Credentials: Lan T. Nguyen seeking a degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
the University of Minnesota.
Journal: UMI University Microfilms International was founded in 1930s by Eugene
Power in Ann Arbor. UMI provides an economical alternative to graduate students to
offset printing as a means of meeting their doctoral publication requirements. As of
today, a vast number of educational institutions in the U.S. publish their doctoral
dissertations through UMI. By 1995, UMI starting offering online availability to
selected database at no cost, becoming the origins of was is now known as
ProQuest Online
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is fact and opinion. I think the
information is valid and well-research and the ideas stated in this study advanced in
line with the same topic of my research.
Methodology: This study uses the Social Constructivist Worldview because the
meanings are constructed by human beings as they engage with the world they are
interpreting. Also this worldview states that the basic generation of meaning is
always social, so is this study. In addition, this research is qualitative.
Coverage: The coverage for this study is divided into three sets of samples, each
for an essay analyzing the evolution of a child’s social concepts. In two studies with
8-18 year olds, they look at age differences in number and sophistication of self-
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brand connections as evidence to a more complex self-concept as well as an
increased appreciation for the social-symbolic functions of inanimate features of
one’s world such as brand names. Essay #1 considers fifty-six participants recruited
from an elementary school in the Midwest and a summer camp in the Northeastern
United States. Subjects from three grade levels were included: 21 3rd graders (8-9
year olds), 20 7th/8th graders (12-13 year olds), and 15 11th/ 12th graders (16-18
year olds) to capture changes in self-brand connections among different age
groups. Thirty-six children were recruited from an elementary school in the Midwest:
18 3rd graders (8-9 year olds) and 18 7th/8th graders (12-13 year olds). Parental
consent and participant assent were obtained for each child prior to beginning the
study. In Essay #2, children and adolescents ages 8-18 were considered to view
materialism as a byproduct of the child’s developing sense of self. In Essay #3,
“Materialism in Children and Adolescents: The Role of Parental is studied by means
of two studies. In the first study, One hundred and fifty participants were recruited
from several summer camps in the Midwestern United States. Participants from
three age groups were included: fifty 3rd//4th graders (8-9 year-olds), fifty 7th/8th
graders (12-13 year olds), and fifty 1 l th/12th graders (16-18 year-olds). An equal
number of boys and girls were recruited per age group. In the second study, One
hundred and fifty participants were recruited from several summer camps in the
Midwestern United States. Participants from three age groups were included: fifty
3rd//4th graders (8-9 year olds), fifty 7th/8th graders (12-13 year olds), and fifty
11th/12th graders (16-18 year olds). An equal number of boys and girls was
recruited (i.e., 25 boys and 25 girls per age group). We also recruited parents of
participants by having them fill out a survey when they signed their children up for
the study, enabling us to have a 100% response rate from parents of all youth
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
participants. Since the majority of children arrived with their mothers to sign up for
the study, our parental data consists of mothers’ responses. This sampling
technique enabled proper representation of the population and added credibility to
the study. The data set was thus, qualitative and quantitative.
Writing Style: The information in this article was easy to read and had all its main
points presented clearly.
Findings + Significances:
The author investigates the relationship between a child’s socio-cognitive
development and the concept of materialism.
The study incorporates several ways of studying materialism using both
quantitative scales and new qualitative methods and study analyzes the
materialistic inclination of the child by examining the evolution of self-
concepts from childhood to adolescence.
The author develops a new method to measure materialism among children
and adolescents that does not rely on rating scales or in depth verbalizations
so that it allows even young children to get across what it is important to
them, including material possessions while maintaining flexibility in
measuring specific dimensions of the self-concept, such as the self-brand
connections of interest.
The paper further suggests that self-esteem mediates the relationship
between family structure and materialism and finally proposes a
development sequence for the emergence of self-brand connections—
associations between the self and brands—in children and adolescents.
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Finding Beauty in a Broken World – An Eco Art School
The findings are then presented in form of a new technique to measure
components of the self-concept and the observations are discussed in three
essays which document this transition.
Results of the study show that children and adolescents develop this
materialistic hobby as a result of their ever changing self-concepts, from
perceptive features to symbolic appreciation.
Typology application: This article helped to understand that an educational
project is an indisputable solution to change a consumerist behavior. Knowing that
children with fragile and changing self-esteem tend to acquire more material
possessions as a tool to maintain or enhance their self-esteem thus portraying a
desired image and connect to others made me realize that I need to create an
educational typology that not only teaches children about a sustainable lifestyle but
also teaches them how to love themselves and be secure about who they are.
Quotations:
1. “Individuals express themselves through consumption and use products to
convey their sense of self. ” Page 39
2. “As children move into adolescence, they become increasingly self-conscious
and, unfortunately, tend to have lower self-esteem as a result of being more
critical about themselves. This lower self-esteem is met by a natural desire to
enhance one’s self-image.” Page 102
3. “We know from previous research that children and adolescents who have
higher self-esteem rely less on material possessions to enhance their concept
of self (Nguyen and John 2003).” Page 130
4. “Parents have also been identified as a guilty party, viewed as spoiling their
children to make up for the lack of time spent with their offspring, to compete
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with their spouses for their children’s affections when parents are divorced,
and to bolster their own self-images among cohorts.” Page 137
4) Terry, L. (2013). The Perils of Consumption and the Gift Economy as
the Solution Daniel Miller’s Consumption and Its
Consequences. Electronic Green Journal, 1(35). Retrieved from:
http://escholarship.org/uc/item/46x4z1td
Author Credentials: Leahy, Terry from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He
is a senior lecturer in the Discipline of Sociology and Anthropology, School of
Humanities and Social Science.
Journal: Electronic Green Journal, 1(35)
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is opinion. The researcher uses
arguments from other people in the field, specifically David Miller. All the arguments
appear to be valid. It is supported by evidence because he states a study done to
people in the UK, and Trinidad. The ideas in this study are related to my main topic
of consumerism. The author’s point of view is objective and impartial.
Methodology: This study used the Pragmatic Worldview paradigm because the
author is concerned with applications and solutions to problems. The issues the
author mentions occur in a social, political and economic context. Author uses a
qualitative strategy because there are no numerical measurements or statistical
analysis.
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Coverage: This study updates and substantiates other sources because it gives
another solution to the problem and pointed out another cause of consumerism that
other sources didn’t specify. The material is secondary in nature.
Writing Style: The information was well organized with all the main points clearly
presented. The text used economic terms which made it challenging for someone
who haven’t taken an economic class.
Findings + Significances:
This research argues that consumerism is driven by false needs.
The way to solve the problem of consumerism and stop endangering the
environment is to make regulations at the production stage.
Daniel Miller argues that we need an economy based upon voluntary
collectives that allows people to produce and distribute their work as gifts.
The researcher states that it is pointless to try to make people change their
consumption behavior. That were the answer is in the production end of
things.
Some of the solutions David Millers suggest to implement as regulations are:
o We could have a ban on gas guzzlers that will restrict engines to 1.6
litres.
o We could specify maximum food miles
o We could abolish bottle water and set air conditioning to 23 degrees.
o We could specify specific plastic bags that biodegrade.
o We could change the industrial processes of things.
The government and companies need to make massive investment in
alternative energy and in new transport infrastructure if we want to cut down
by 50% our CO2 emissions by 2050.
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This study states that people express themselves through consumption in
trying to seek expression and social connection because they don’t get
expression or social connection at work.
o Then, what people produce at work is distributed by the people who
own the business.
David Miller states that consumerism is the compensation for alienated work.
o Alienated work is a place where we are not able to express ourselves
and where we do not have control over the distribution our production.
Typology application: This article made me realize that people have many
conscious or unconscious reasons to engage in consumerist practices. However, no
matter from what side of the causes of consumerism I see, I find that humans are
craving for human connection and expression of their being. As an interior designer,
I envision a space where social connections happen. I envision a space that involves
learning, creative expression, social connection. This could be an educational/
hospitality or a workplace typology.
Quotations:
1. “What is needed is a new kind of economic structure, an economy based
upon voluntary collectives that allows people to produce and distribute their
work as gifts. This would abolish alienated labour.” Page 1
2. “It is pointless to try to urge people to make different consumer choices. This
is wrong end of the problem to be tackling. We should tackle the production
end of things.” Page 2
3. “People seek compensation for a life of labour done under the control of
others. They seek expression and social connection through their
consumption because they get little of either at work.” Page 5
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4. “To be more precise, we are alienated in our work because we do not express
in our work and because we do not have any control over the distribution of
the things we produce. We have to get money through alienated work to
live.” Page 5
5) Manktelow, R. (2011). Community, consumerism and credit: the
experience of an urban community in North-West Ireland.
Community, Work & Family, 14(3), 257-274,
doi:10.1080/13668803.2010.520839
Author Credentials: Roger Manktelow from the School of Sociology and Applied
Social Studies, University of Ulster at Magee, Derry, UK.
Journal: Community, Work & Family Journal.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is opinion and fact. The author
uses different references and develops a research in local community which
indicates that the information in this article is valid and well researched. The ideas
and arguments in this article advanced in line with other works I have read on the
same topic.
Methodology: The study is qualitative because the research was not amenable to
numerical measurement and statistical analysis. The methodology paradigm used is
the pragmatic worldview because this worldview arises out of actions, situations
and consequences rather than antecedent conditions. In this case, the impact of
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debt and consumerism in a community in North West Ireland was investigated to
show that they go through financial struggles that jeopardize their well-being.
Coverage: The study covered an urban public housing community located in the
Derry City council area. This location is selected based on its economic history and
depravity.
Writing Style: The information in this article is organized logically and all the main
points were clearly presented.
Findings + Significances:
The study focuses on the debt problems and consumerism, how international
monetary system and consumerism are impacting small local communities.
This study was conducted in a public housing estate which is a relatively
deprived urban estate in the Derry city, Northern Ireland.
The study found that the community is experiencing isolation, strain, guilt
and powerlessness because of consumerist pressures that is ultimately
resulting in financial struggles and threatening communities’ well-being.
From the study I learnt that conspicuous consumption was especially high
during ceremonial celebrations like first Holy Communion, Christmas,
Halloween, St.Patrick’s day.
The study also suggested that local community action can tackle the
consumerism’s global powerful forces effectively.
o I learnt that media literacy, financial education, debt advice services
and management, anti-consumerist consciousness raising workshops,
political action agenda and personal development programs are such
community actions that can be employed.
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Typology application: This article helped me to understand that community
action is a way for entities to cope with negative feelings associated with debt and
consumerism. It is a clever idea to implement anti-consumerist raising workshops in
a possible educational/hospitality typology. I can create an Art School that offers a
gathering space for workshops and lectures regarding sustainable matters.
Quotations:
1. “The constituent groups of the local community reported a diverse
experience of strain, isolation, powerlessness and guilt. Their experience of
consumerism was age-differentiated and their choice of contemporary status
markers was made within the cultural context of the local community.” Page
257
2. “Credit is the driver of consumerism and economic growth and credit cards
give people the opportunity to undertake consumption that otherwise would
not take place (Ritzer, 1995).” Page 259
3. “Such an intervention might include education on financial and media
literacy, money management and debt advice services, consciousness-raising
anti-consumerist workshops, programmes of personal development and an
agenda for political action.” Page 257
4. “Community action holds open the possibility of change. It can build on the
identified strengths of indigenous skills and group solidarities. However, its
effectiveness is necessarily limited by policy and global practices of the
international financial system and also by the social shame of debt which
reduces the potential for group action and policy and global.” Page 272
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6) Lee, M., Pant, A., & Ali, A. (2010). Does the Individualist Consumer
More? The Interplay of Ethics and Beliefs that Governs Consumerism
Across Cultures. Journal of Business Ethics, 93(4), 567-581.
doi:10.1007/s10551-009-0240-8.
Author Credentials: Monte Lee and Anurag Pant are from the Indiana University
South Bend, IN. Abbas Ali from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, PA.
Journal: Journal of Business Ethics.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is fact. The information is well
researched and it is supported by the evidence from the survey the researcher
develops.
Methodology: The researcher used a Pragmatic Worldview paradigm because
conclusions are drawn from quantitative and qualitative assumptions. There is a
survey developed by the researcher as well a numerical analysis.
Coverage: The coverage includes the data collection from two nations : USA and
Taiwan. The two-nation comparison also provides an insight into the differences in
beliefs in consumerism as a boon for the society. The questionnaire was
administered to business students attending the business schools at two Taiwanese
universities and two Midwestern universities. Questionnaires were administered by
graduate assistants and participating instructors during graduate business classes
and took about 15 min to complete. Four hundred ninety-four questionnaires were
collected, including 248 Taiwanese, 196 American and 50 other nationalities. This
convenience sample was diverse in many respects: 53% of the sample was female.
64% of the sample was in age category 18–29 years, 19% of the sample was in age
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category 30–39 years, 12% was in age category 40–49 years, with the rest of the
sample being in the age category 50 years and over. Sixty nine percent of the
sample was single, and 29% was married. Seventeen percent of the sample was
employed or had been employed in public or state owned businesses, 48% in
private businesses and 12% in mixed sectors. Twenty-eight percent of the sample
classified themselves as managers in their current or last jobs, while 45% worked or
had worked in a non-supervisory capacity. The American sample was 87%
Caucasian, 4% Hispanic and 4% African–American. The sample data set was diverse
and of high quality, albeit small. The sample size has to increase to other countries
to verify the accuracy of the model as a truly global model.
Writing Style: This publication is organized logically with all its main points clearly
presented.
Findings + Significances:
The author presents an argument against the seemingly positive relationship
between individualism and consumerism by showing that an individual’s
ethical values can produce a similar effect.
It is proposed that the need for being materialistic can be tempered by the
individualist’s ethical values.
o Specifically, it is suggested that a person’s work ethic positively
influences her/his consumer ethicality and that higher work ethic of
individualists should lead to higher consumer ethics, which in turn
should negatively influence their consumerism.
The study also analyzes the cross-cultural comparison of the relationship
between individual values and consumerism-related beliefs.
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Results of the study support this argument as it shows a strong relationship
between work ethics and consumer ethics.
o This, in turn leads to negative consumerism by making a person more
self-reliant. The study is however, limited in scale and reach.
The model has to be extended to other countries to verify its findings for USA
and Taiwan in order it to be a truly global model.
Typology application: This article helped me out understand that I need to create
an environment where people would love to work in. Consequently, this will lead to
higher consumer ethics which may negatively influence their consumerism
behavior. I want to create an environment where good morals and values can be
learned. This in turn will lead to more ethical behaviors like helping others. I can
create an educational typology, a Green Art school for children.
Quotations:
1. “Modern marketing is commonly assumed to be responsible for this
consumerist society with its hedonistic lifestyle (every night on television you
see many commercials promoting phones, cameras, cars, cruises, casinos,
etc.) and for undermining other cultural values.” (p. 567)
2. “Consumerism was fired up in the west when people demanded greater
responsiveness from their organizations and when they sought personal
growth and fulfillment beyond simple economic needs in return for their hard
work (Ali et al., 1995)” (p. 568)
3. “Individualists show less concern for their in-group members and stay more
distant from their in-groups than collectivists who receive quantitatively and
qualitatively better support than the individualists (Triandis et al., 1988)” (p.
569)
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4. “Given the same work, persons who have a stronger work ethic can be
expected to be less pressured and dissatisfied, and should demonstrate
fewer unethical behaviors than those with a weaker work ethic” (p. 569)
Subquestion 3: What is sustainable consumption?
1) Banbury, C., & Stinerock, R., & Subrahmanyan, S. (2011).
Sustainable consumption: Introspecting across multiple lived
cultures. Journal of Business Research, 65(4), 497-503, ISSN 0148-
2963, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.02.028.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014829631100061
0)
Author Credentials: Catherine Banbury and Saroja Subrahmanyan are faculty
members at Saint Mary’s College of California. Robert Stinerock is a faculty member
at Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Economia.
Publisher + Journal: Elsevier, Journal of Business Research. According to the
Journal of Business Research they apply theory established from business research
to actual business circumstances. Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered in this article is purely opinion
based. The information appears to be in valid in the sense that the researchers are
collecting data from their personal experience as consumers within a context which
allowed them to retrieve a holistic perspective on consumption patterns. Taking in
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consideration that the researchers used interactive introspection for this study
there is emotions arousing words when they are describing their lives.
Methodology: The authors used a qualitative approach as their methodology. They
used a method of interactive personal introspection to uncover several dimensions
of the issue. The method of introspection allows them to analyze how their efforts to
consume sustainably have transform through different times, cultures and societies.
In addition using this method means that the subject/informant are the same person
and that there are no other subjects/informants.
Coverage: The coverage was the three authors that wrote the article. Two live in
the suburbs where living a sustainable lifestyle represents an everyday challenge
and the other one lives in New York City where it is much convenient to have a
sustainable lifestyle. This work does substantiate other materials I have read
because I was able to perceive their perspective in regards to how sustainable or
not their lifestyles are.
Writing Style: The narrative and information given by the researcher were
organized logically. The three researchers doing the narrative pointed out their
main points clearly in an easy to read manner.
Findings + Significances:
This study looks into what factors enable and discourage sustainable
consumption practices.
Terms like voluntary simplicity, use of green products, reducing the use of
natural resources, toxic materials and emissions of waste and pollutants are
among the numerous definitions of sustainable consumption.
There were three introspective narratives expressing different points of view
according to what they have lived.
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One of the participants that was born and raised in Australia and when she
came to the US she noticed the hyper choice of consumerism that Americans
have.
o She realized over the years that the US society has an individualistic
view.
o She had to interiorize the neo-classical belief that an individual is the
only one in charge of his well-being and felt that in this country she is
on her own.
o Being an educated person in the business field she attended a seminar
where she learned how a capitalist economy devastates communities
and the natural environment.
o This lady and her husband had the opportunity to experience a training
program inside an eco-village in Findhorn, Scotland.
Approximately the three hundred people that live in this village
engage in sustainable practices like growing their own food,
using solar and wind energy and walking everywhere they need
to instead of using cars.
She expresses how she felt a profound sense of belonging to a
community where everybody cares for the well-being of each
other.
The other narrative was insightful in that the participant states that
international travel is the best way to learn, compare and understand our
lifestyle, culture and country of origin in a way we never had.
Their narratives made them come to the conclusion that sustainable
consumption meant for them the impact of the consumption on the ecology.
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One of the participants came to the understanding of the interdependencies
of the natural environment and the well-being of an individual/society.
Another conclusion they reached is that the education system is the key
instrument in awakening society to an ecological consciousness.
The second important point they reached is that as a consumer we seek to
shape ourselves to represent a particular lifestyle.
The final point is that to have a supportive environmental infrastructure is of
critical importance. Our consumption behavior is shaped by the
place/city/country we live in.
Typology application: The narratives of the researchers serve me as guidance, a
push to create a multi-cultural communal environment where the people who enter
immediately becomes aware of the physical and natural environment creating a link
between the elements of their consumption behavior and sustainable practices. This
could be a mix of hospitality and educational typology.
Quotations:
1. “A working definition of sustainable consumption proposed by the 1994 Oslo
Symposium on Sustainable Consumption hosted by the Norwegian
government involving NGOs and inter-governmental organization is: The use
of goods and services that respond to basic needs and bring a better quality
of life, while minimizing the use of natural resources toxic materials and
emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle, so as not to jeopardize
the needs of future generations.” Page 497
2. “Now I see that I had internalized the neo-classical belief that one’s well-
being rests solely upon the individual and realize that in this country you are
on your own.” Page 499
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3. “The loneliness and isolation, and associated anxiety, that plagues me in my
life is the U.S. were completely absent. I was supported and secure, and I felt
rich with life. I was fulfilled.” Page 499
4. “From our collective experiences we argue that our education system needs
to be instrumental in awakening us to our shared destiny with the earth – to
ecological consciousness.” Page 502
2) Mont, O., & Plepys, A. (2008). Sustainable consumption progress:
should we be proud or alarmed?. Journal of Cleaner Production,
16(4), 531-537. ISSN 0959-6526,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2007.01.009.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652607000352)
Author Credentials: Oksana Mont, Andrius Plepys from IIIEE, Lund University,
Sweden and Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands.
Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production 16 (2008) 531-537
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered was fact later used these facts to
create an opinion based conclusion. The information appears to be valid and well
research. They showed diagrams and tables that served as evidence for their
argument. The ideas do advanced with the line of other works I have read,
especially in defining the social, economic, and psychological perspective of
sustainability.
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Methodology: This study states that the data was primarily collected via literature
analysis and interviews with relevant participants. They used a combined
qualitative, quantitative method for this research. Knowledge was unfolded from
developed information (qualitative). They examined the relationships among GNP
and ISEW index and showed statistics as well. I think this research used the
Pragmatic Worldview because the study was not so much based on history but on
actual issues considering applications and solutions to the problems
Coverage: This work substantiates and updates other materials I have read. It
updates other material because other materials have reached to the conclusion
consumerism is a problem of society and that we as consumers can make the
change. This research however, points out that the government needs to take
action changing institutional and economic frameworks.
Writing Style: The publication is organized logically. The main points are
presented clearly. The text was more challenging than other studies I have read
because the authors used more of an economic/business language.
Findings + Significances:
According to this research there is still no specific definition of sustainable
consumption.
o Some will treat consumption as production issue and they claim that
this issue can be solve if the industry sector implements eco-efficient
improvements in the production process.
o Others will argue that sustainable consumption is the implementation
of green products in the market.
o Others with a more radical perspective will argue that the consumption
levels in developed countries need to be simplified.
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If individuals living in developed countries want to engage in this new vision
of sustainable consumption they should acquire more green products and
also find happiness in a less materialistic lifestyle.
When referring to sustainability there are different views according to the
different disciples of economics, social studies, psychology.
o Economic studies focus on how economic forces shape consumer
levels and patterns.
o Sociological studies focus on the influence of social culture, social class
and family, ethnic and religious groups.
o The psychological studies focus on how emotions and habits influence
consumer’s purchasing decisions.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs plays an important role in the scene because the
act of consumption usually deals with a certain satisfaction level since its
fulfilling a material, social or moral need.
Individuals can agree that economic grow and material accumulation in
monetary terms such as the GDP per capita is what determines the level of
happiness in an individual’s life.
However, the sociologist Max-Neef argues that the relationship between GDP
and the level of happiness is highly non-linear.
Additionally this research states that when issues of sustainable consumption
and production are addressed by consumers and manufacturers, then
administrative or regulatory instruments like product standards are created.
o This is a positive finding because as consumers we do have a strong
position in creating a more sustainable world.
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This research concludes declaring that the answer to the issue of
consumerism is creating socio-economic systems that ensure high quality of
life and that sustain the environment’s current needs.
o As a designer this should be also our contemporary societal goal.
Typology application: In my design I will strive to achieve an environment that
ensures a high quality of life, that supports community and that creates an
atmosphere of support enhancing creativity and critical thinking. I can create a
community of professionals working in a sustainable environment that enables
them to use their intellect, creativity and share it with others. I think that we as
designers and business people need to think of different ways to create a service
that has never been created before and that goes hand to hand with sustainable
goals. If the government doesn’t act due to economic reasons, then we need to
show them that it is possible to create economic growth out of business offering
sustainable services. In this way, we will inspire less developed countries and the
rest of the world. The typology could be a workplace and educational at the same
time.
Quotations:
1. “The notion of sustainable consumption is often used as an umbrella term for
issues related to human needs, equity, quality of life, resource efficiency,
waste minimization, life cycle thinking, consumer health and safety,
consumer sovereignty, etc.” Page 532
2. “In the field of psychological studies, it has been found that consumer’s
purchasing decisions are influenced by emotions and habits, which in turn are
formed by personal attitudes and motivations. An important component is the
feeling of satisfaction, which, according to Maslow’s hierarchy, is achieved by
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fulfilling a wide range of needs, spanning from material to social and moral
needs.” Page 534
3. “Currently, the ultimate measure of happiness is economic growth and
material wealth measured in monetary terms such as gross domestic product
(GDP) per capita. However, sociologists (e.g. Max-Neef) agree that the
relationship between GDP and the level of happiness is highly non-linear.”
Page 534
4. “To provide a fruitful ground for sufficiency strategies, governments need to
change the institutional frameworks in society and create conditions in which
less materialistic aspirations prevail, supported by producers delivering less
resource-intensive products and services.” Page 536
3) Briceno, T., & Stagl, S. (2006). The role of social processes for
sustainable consumption, Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(17),
1541-1551. ISSN 0959-6526,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.01.027.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652606000850)
Author Credentials: Tania Briceno from the School of Earth and Environment and
Sigrid Stagl from University of Leeds
Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production. This journal serves as an international forum
for the exchange of information and research concepts, policies and technologies
that are created to help in the progress of making societies more sustainable.
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Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is mostly opinion. The researchers
use other sources to back up their arguments. The information appears to be valid
and it is supported by evidence. In addition the author’s point of view is objective
and impartial.
Methodology: This study uses the Pragmatic Worldview which draws conclusions
from both quantitative and qualitative methods. This worldview is concerned with
applications and solutions to problems and this research discussed social and
environmental frameworks as solutions to the consumerism problem.
Coverage: The coverage included 50 responses from organizers and participants in
UK from 27 different schemes. The survey covered a total of 17 questions looking at
the existence of social capital and its benefits to the system and members; the
amount of sharing, leasing, and collective activities that take place; the perception,
attitudes, and engagement of people in the programmes; their effectiveness at
satisfying needs in innovative ways; and the dynamics of green social networks
inside LETS. There were three forms of responses: online through a website (60% or
30 respondents); as an attachment on e-mails (14% or 7 respondents); and through
telephone interviews (26% or 13 respondents). Therefore the data collected was
both quantitative and qualitative.
Writing Style: I did not find the text easy to read due to the economic terms and
language used. I do think that the publication was organized logically.
Findings + Significances:
The authors review the concept of sustainable consumption for individual
well-being and societal development.
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The paper draws on different theoretical frameworks to illuminate effective
methods of implementation and dynamics for sustainable consumption
programmes.
o In particular, they examine the framework for Product Service Systems
and compare it with the popular community-centric based LETS which
employ PSS-style initiatives.
The paper highlights the benefits of sharing resources for a transition to a
more sustainable consumption pattern and the importance of social
processes involved in consumption as well as the multiple aspects of human
needs which form the essential components of sustainable consumption
programmes.,
Results of the study shows that PSS and LETS, despite being limited in reach
an appeal, offer valuable insight into development of favorable consumption
patterns that enhance social capital and integrate more participatory
strategies.
o This can be achieved by adopting a more holistic approach towards the
formulation of sustainable consumption programmes which goes
beyond utility and includes the social, environmental and psychological
functions of consumption.
Typology application: I want to create an educational typology that guides
children and inspire others to a collective constructed vision of a sustainable future.
Quotations:
1. “It had been shown that the lack of satisfaction of the need for emotional
and physical communication gives rise to strong drives for power,
domination, violence and possession, and consumption of goods.” Page 1544
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2. “For consumers/citizens/workers, more participatory initiatives can increase
their market knowledge, their corresponding responsibilities, and the
satisfaction extracted from different stages of the consumption process”
Page 1550
3. “The growing separation between producers and consumers, the lack of
social satisfiers, and the compromising of social welfare to economic
performance have been major obstacles for achieving sustainability goals.”
Page 1550
4) Buenstorf, G., & Cordes, C. (2008). Can sustainable consumption be
learned? A model of cultural evolution. Ecological Economics, 67(4),
646-657, ISSN 0921-8009,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2008.01.028.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800908000463)
Author Credentials: Guido Buenstorf, Christian Cordes from Max Planck Institute
of Economics, Evolutionary Economics Group.
Journal: Ecological Economics Journal.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: There is some factual information but most of it opinion. I
think the information appears to be valid and the researchers support their
argument by creating a mathematical model. The ideas presented in this study
advanced in line with other works I have read on the same topic.
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Methodology: This research uses a quantitative and qualitative method.
Quantitative because it has numerical measurement and statistical analysis and
qualitative in that the premises and hypothesis emerges from interpreted data. I
think that this study uses the Pragmatic Worldview Paradigm because the
researchers agree that there is an evolution of consumption behavior and they are
only providing findings that help substantiate the assumptions of such evolution.
Pragmatists think that truth is what works at the time and that research occurs in
social, historical, political and other context.
Coverage: This work updates other sources in that it points out that the new
learned sustainable behaviors cannot stay permanently in our conscious unless the
characteristics of the new learn behavior/product creates a connection with an
existing activity/good/want that we previously learned. This article does not cover
extensively my topic; it rather demonstrates a more specific aspect regarding
sustainable consumption. The material is primary because of the mathematical
model they build, and secondary they used information based on primary sources.
Writing Style: The information is organized logically and the main points are
presented clearly. However, this study used more an economic language that made
it challenging to read.
Findings + Significances:
Since the economic activity depends upon consumers, then consumers play a
crucial role in the evolution to a more sustainable economy.
o Consumers need to lower their level of consumption and/or change the
goods they consume to more sustainable ones.
o Have an increase in income does play with the idea of consuming
more.
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This research states that cultural transmission is biased and that is easier for
some individuals adopt certain behaviors than others.
Environmental conscious consumption behaviors can be adopted through
social leaning.
o The research model developed showed that these new learned
patterns cannot be permanent because they are not self-reinforced.
o An important force in the learning process is social observation.
By observing role models and adopting their successful
behavior.
This study refers to a theory called Leaning Theory of Consumption (LTC).
o This theory suggests that human wants are fulfilled by the act of
consumption that can be basic physiological or psychic need.
o Other wants in humans can be acquired unconsciously in a
conditioning through reinforcement society.
o Also another motivating role is social recognition.
Exposure to stimuli and the interaction with others affects the associative
want learning process.
The available information for individuals to process is more likely to stay in
their conscious if this new information relates to an existing activity or want
they have.
o Through an innate want an individual is able to form a complex chain
of wants. A want for the consumption of green products can then be
formed.
o It’s ideal that a green product has sensory perceptible characteristics
that can be associated with an innate or a previously acquired want. Or
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that the sustainable product is consumed together with other
satisfying goods and activities.
A rewarding sensory experience offered by the new “green” product is not
enough to create the associate learning. The good needs to depend on on
features that are unconnected to the good’s environmental impact for the
associate learning process to take place.
o In addition, knowledge about the additional benefits the green product
has to offer in contrast with its substitute positively affects the
attractiveness of the ‘green’ product.
Human psychology shapes what we appreciate, learn, and propagate.
Typology application: A hospitality typology could serve as a way to create
something that provides sufficient sensory experience and that it is associated with
a previously acquire want. In addition this hospitality project can be ‘consumed’ or
used jointly with another satisfying activity.
Quotations:
1. “As all economic activity is ultimately aimed at satisfying the needs of
consumers, consumer behavior has an essential role to play in any transition
toward a more sustainable economy (e.g., Arrow et al., 2004; Brennan, 2006;
Wagner, 2006; van den Bergh, submitted for publication).” Page 646
2. “Depending on their individual learning history shaped by the specificities of
their exposure to stimuli and interaction with other agents, associative want
learning enables humans to acquire highly idiosyncratic chains of learned
wants.” Page 647
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3. “Human attention to stimuli is selective, and available information is more
likely to be consciously processed if it relates to activities for which a want
already exists.” Page 647
4. “As outlined above, humans are able to form complex chains of wants
through associative learning starting from innate wants. In this way, wants
for the consumption of “green” products can be formed.” Page 648
5) Lorenzen, J. A. (2012). Going Green: The Process of Lifestyle
Change. Sociological Forum, 27(1), 94-116. doi:10.1111/j.1573-
7861.2011.01303.x
Author Credentials: Janet A. Lorenzen from the Department of Sociology at
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
Journal: Sociological Forum, Vol. 27, No. 1, March 2012
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students/general audience
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is opinion with some references
from other authors/studies. The researcher did 40 in depth interviews that appear to
be a valid argument of the process of the interviewers in adopting a green lifestyle.
The evidence itself is the people she interviewed. The ideas in this study advanced
with the line with other works I have read. This research perspective tends to be
biased since the researcher uses people for the interviews that have changed their
consumption behavior in spite of all the challenges.
Methodology: The methodology paradigm used is the Pragmatic Worldview. This
worldview arises out of actions, situations, and consequences rather than
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antecedent conditions. The researcher used interviews as a technique. The study is
qualitative in that is a means for exploring and understanding the meaning of
individuals to a social or human problem.
Coverage: The researcher developed 40 in depth interviews to examine three
groups of people that limited their consumption in different ways. These interviews
were semi-structured and lasted approximately 60 minutes. The researchers try to
focus on the lived experience of going green and the changes/challenges they had
to undergo daily. The three groups were voluntary simplifiers (13 interviews),
religious environmentalists (14 interviews), and green home owners (13 interviews).
Writing Style: The information is organized logically and the researcher’s main
points are clearly presented. The text was easy to read.
Findings + Significances:
One way to change a lifestyle is by changing an individual’s practices, and
the other way is to tell the story about those changes.
The author interviewed 40 individuals and found that there are similarities on
how they starting adopting and acting upon a more green lifestyle.
o Deliberation and habit was among those characteristics
Deliberation happens when current habits fail to solve a problem
or when there are other alternatives that individuals consider
and make a slow but clear choice with an intent that can be
verbalized.
Green lifestyle is then a pattern of living where one voluntarily eliminates
practices that have uncertain environmental impacts and tell a narrative that
makes that process purposeful.
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Participants in the interviews thought green practices are not isolated
decisions or actions but components of an evolved coherent project.
People adopting green lifestyles feel everybody can make a difference by
changing behaviors.
According to this research, products and the behavior we adopt as consumers
are part of an imperfect system of shared meaning that we consciously or
unconsciously integrated into our identity projects.
The things that we buy, buy less, or not buy at all do shape our identity
especially in the case of green lifestyles.
Green lifestyle means having taking decisions and actions that reduce the
consumption of goods, energy and water.
According to Horton, socialization through shared practices, networks,
spaces, and times can create positive changes and influence individuals to
adopt sustainable practices.
Taken from the article, the green practices shared by the interviewers were:
o People buy less and try to extend the life of what they have.
o They recycle (cans, plastic, glass, newspaper, junk mail)
o They use cloth bags, compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs.
o They avoid kitchen paper products.
o They keep their thermostats low in winter and rarely if ever use air
conditioners.
o They take short showers and run hot water heater on low.
o They use baking soda instead of commercial green cleaning products.
o They do large loads in the dishwasher and in the washing machine.
o They use clotheslines or drying racks.
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o They grow their own food, and cook from scratch buying local and
organic food.
o They avoid red meat or are vegetarians/vegans.
o They buy recycled toilet paper and tissues.
o They use restrictors on water faucets.
o They have rain barrels or rain gardens and they reuse gray water.
o They ride their bicycles to work or carpool.
o They shop at and donate to thrift stores/consignment shops or pick
things up off the curb.
o They have solar panels on their roofs or pay a premium for renewable
energy through their local provider.
o They use geothermal power to heat and cool their homes.
o They own a hybrid card.
This research shows that green practices are more likely to multiply if the
individual defines those practices as a meaningful part of a larger project.
At the beginning of the changing process decisions and actions are highly
deliberative but as actions develop they become automatic responses.
This research explains the idea of a new lifestyle do-yourself mechanism
called bricolage.
o It states that bricolage includes materials and practices from old
lifestyles and seeing them with a new perspective to recombine them
with newly adopted materials, practices, and environmental discourses
in order to form a new pattern.
This study states that a change in behavior follows a change in values.
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Typology application: One important finding from this article, which was stating
that socialization from shared practices, networks, and spaces can create positive
changes and influence individuals in changing their current not sustainable
practices. This finding helped me to envision an eco-village or an art community
center for children and/or adults to learn about sustainable practices, with spaces to
create art, and spaces to discuss and share their green lifestyle and new green
ways to solve problems. This could be hospitality and educational/residential
typology.
Quotations:
1. “At the same time, what we do not buy, or buy less of, can shape our identity
as much as what we do buy, especially in the case of green lifestyles
(Chitewere, 2008; Horton, 2006).” Page 97
2. “Bricolage is a makeshift, do-it-yourself mechanism used to build, change, or
repair something – int the present case, a lifestyle. It involves the cobbling
together of resources at hand by nonexperts who figure things out as the
go.” Page 107
3. “Bricolage includes materials and practices from old lifestyles viewed in a
new light and recombines them with newly adopted materials, practices, and
environmental discourses to form a new pattern” Page 107
4. “A change in behavior can precede a change in values (Goldblatt, 2005), and
knowledge is built up over time after practices have started to change and is
used as a rationale for past and future changes.” Page 112
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6) Kellogg, C. (2005), Eco Imperative. Archit Design, 75, 100–102.
doi: 10.1002/ad.25
Author Credentials: Kellogg, C.
Journal: Architectural Design
Intended Audience: General audience
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is opinion. The information is valid
and the arguments toward creating a sustainable design are supported by the
evidence of what they constructed.
Methodology: One could argue that the author of the article engaged in the
Pragmatic Worldview. The architects and clients developing this project also used a
pragmatic worldview. The research method used by the journalist is qualitative,
since he prepared an interview to point out the nice features of this sustainable
project.
Coverage: This article substantiates other material I have read on the topic
because it explained the different sustainable materials used for the projects, some
of them that I have never heard of. This article marginally covers my topic but gave
me a perspective of a real sustainable design project.
Writing Style: The magazine article was easy to read with the information well
organized.
Findings + Significances:
This article talks about the renovation that the Department of Environmental
Studies at Vassar College went through.
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o This department main goal is of healing the earth. It serves as a
gathering space for students and faculty member of different areas of
study as well.
The college’s main renovation goal was to minimize toxics and waste.
o However, the architect Dennis Wedlick thought that he should create a
design with a deep sense of permanence where users will not get tired
of it too quick and then throw it away.
o Architect decided that to enhance the sense of permanence he was
going to preserve the building’s structure, which was built in the late
19th century.
Some of characteristic of the design are:
o 90% of the materials were either recycled or renewable.
o The trims are from wood chips from managed forests.
o The upholstery fabric for some chairs was made from recycled plastic
bottles.
o The ceiling is covered with a fabric made of recycled cardboard, hemp
and silk stretched on a steel frame.
The College staff thinks that one of the goals of sustainable design is to raise
awareness.
Typology application: I could create an educational typology, a sustainable art
school for children. This article stated that the architect in charge of the renovation
for that department wanted to create a sense of permanence by preserving the
original building’s structure. In the same manner I think it would be interesting to
preserve and enhance the structure I possibly use for my project.
Quotations:
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1. “To enhance the sense of permanence, the architect and his clients decided
that the architecture should preserve the building and ‘speak to its history’.”
Page 101
2. “We feel one of the goals for sustainable design is to raise awareness.” Page
102
Subquestion 4: Is sustainable consumption associated with a certain
population or culture?
1) Elliott, R. (2013). The taste for green: The possibilities and dynamics
of status differentiation through “green” consumption. Poetics,
41(3), 294-322. ISSN 0304-422X,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.poetic.2013.03.003.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304422X13000272)
Author Credentials: Rebecca Elliott from the Department of Sociology in Berkeley,
CA.
Journal: Elsevier
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered was fact. The information
appeared to be well researched. It is supported by evidence with the survey they
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developed. The arguments advanced in line with other works I have read about
consumerism.
Methodology: The researcher used a Pragmatic Worldview paradigm because
conclusions are drawn from quantitative and qualitative assumptions.
Coverage: The coverage was data from an adult survey conducted by ABC
News/Discovery Channel/Stanford University national (United States) fielded from
July 23 to July 28, 2008, N = 10005. The survey was based on dual frame design
where using random-digit dialing respondents were chosen and were first weighted
by Census region to their respective population proportions. Then this sample was
rim-weighted. This sampling technique enabled proper representation of the
population and added credibility to the study as the findings incorporated
probability weights for Census parameters such as sex, age, race and education.
Writing Style: The information is organized logically and all the main points
presented clearly.
Findings + Significances:
The author studies the green consumption’s connection to social status
positioning that consumers can use it as an opportunity to conspicuously
signify their social status.
The author found that relatively well educated people find green consumption
practice more appealing however in green consumption social differentiation
implication does occur though in part and does depends on good’s symbolic
nature rather than its taste.
Results of his study showed that green consumption desirability is directly
related with increasing level of education, along with having children of 18
years old at home and being identifying them as environmentalist.
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Typology application: I could develop a retail typology. It would be interesting to
create a sustainable restaurant that offers a space for additional social activities
and connections. In this way, I’m bringing in those consumers that are only
interested in showing a false social status plus the consumers that are really in
sustainability.
Quotations:
1. “Green consumption has emerged as one strategy that individuals can use to
try to reduce their personal and household impacts in terms of waste
management and energy use.” Page 294
2. “Rather than—or not merely—reflecting an environmentalist ethos, perhaps
green/sustainable consumption acts as a vehicle for signaling social status,
and it appeals to people for this reason.” Page 295
3. “The results of the logistic regression show that saying you try to buy
environmentally friendly products is associated with particular social
attributes; in other words, the desirability of green consumption is socially
patterned, with the finding on education suggesting a relationship with social
status.” Page 306
4. “When consumers choose green products—these kinds of green household
goods— they ‘‘choose’’ in ways that conform to their current positions and
their social trajectories, to use Bourdieu’s term, their habitus. Thus, the social
differentiation reflected in and constitutive of consumption operates through
purchasing actions that are often undertaken with a minimum of reflection.”
Page 307
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2) Hofmeister-Tóth, Á., Kelemen, K., & Piskóti, M. (2011).
Environmentally conscious consumption patterns in Hungarian
households. Society and Economy, 33(1), 51-68.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/SocEc.33.2011.1.6
Author Credentials: Agnes Hofmesiter-Toth is a professor, Institute of Marketing
and Media, Corvinus University of Budapest.
Kata Kelemen is an assistant teacher, Institute of Marketing and Media, Corvinus
University of Budapest.
Marianna Piskoti is a PhD student, Institute of Marketing and Media, Corvinus
University of Budapest.
Journal: Society and Economy 33 (2011) 1, pp. 51-68
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information in this study is valid and well research. It is
mostly opinion since the researchers developed a survey that leads to their
conclusions. It also included facts from other referenced articles.
Methodology: The researchers used the Pragmatic Worldview paradigm. This
worldview is concerned with applications and solutions to the problems and in this
study the researchers focused on the changes in environment-related consumer
behavior patterns. They wanted to determine the most significant factors that
influence consumers to adopt a pro-environmental behavior. This study was
qualitative; the researchers used a qualitative survey.
Coverage: The survey covered three regions in Hungary – Budapest, Miskolc and
Gyor with a total of 20 respondents, 5, 5 and 10 respondents respectively.
Respondents were 18 years of age with at least secondary school education and
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positive to neutral attitude towards sustainable consumption. Small sample and
non-representative survey is suitable for qualitative survey.
Writing Style: This publication is organized logically. The authors used a language
that was easy to read.
Findings + Significances:
The article presents a comprehensive literature review on the sustainable
consumption’s theoretical aspects.
The author conducted a survey to study the environmentally conscious
patterns of consumption in Hungary and how sustainable consumption can be
encouraged by increasing the awareness and providing appropriate
information about sustainable consumption.
The authors found that in Hungary knowledge of respondents regarding
environmentally conscious behavior is limited and reinforced that there are
appropriate alternate activities to increase the awareness and consumption
of sustainable products.
This research is significant in understanding what motivates individuals to
consume sustainably and what factors create barriers to sustainable
consumption.
o These factors can be used to change behavior of society members in
increasing awareness about sustainable consumption and make them
more environmentally conscious.
The studies found that people will adopt sustainable consumption if they
assume that it is for the benefit of their health rather than benefit for the
environment.
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The result of the study was positive in showing that environmental
consciousness can be raised by simplifying and breaking down the tasks the
individuals knew already this will make them more involved and more
confident.
This study also showed that not all regions have same environmental
problems and one message cannot raise the awareness but it has to be
customized and reinforced regularly to make change happen.
Typology application: The information in this article helped me to understand
that education plays a crucial role in adopting or not a more sustainable behavior.
As the author stated, ecological education was classified as a macro-level factor.
With this in mind, I think that creating an educational typology is of critical
importance. In addition, a mixed typology (hospitality) can be created by adding a
lounging space where conferences, lectures, workshops take place.
Quotations:
1. “A key element of the idea of sustainability is the rethinking of consumption.
The revelation that society’s current consumption habits may threaten the
satisfaction of future generations’ needs was formulated already in the
1970s.” Page 51
2. “According to Nemcsicsne Zsoka (2007), the first step towards sustainable
consumption is the individual’s environmental consciousness, the presence
and depth of his/her ecological knowledge, ecological values, ecological
attitudes, willingness to act and actual behavior.” Page 53
3. “Ecological education, which appeared in several stages of the qualitative
study, was classified as a macro-level factor. Respondents clearly expressed
the need to have an environmentally conscious way of thinking and behavior
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becomes an everyday norm and routine for future generations. This is a
common task for the state, media, families and communities, all of which can
initiate and support environmentally conscious education.” Page 63
4. “Providing easy-to-comprehend solutions to environmentally conscious
consumption might be an efficient form of communication capable of
inducing real changes. The difficulty here is that different regions might have
different problems and it may be difficult to address them in a single
message. Continuous feedback and reinforcement to the individual might
also be very useful in fostering change.” Page 67
3) Figueroa-Rosario, W. (2003). Exploration of the meaning and process
of wellness among families in Vieques: A qualitative study. ProQuest
Dissertations and Theses, 346-346. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.fiu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/
288104798?accountid=10901. (288104798).
Author Credentials: Wanda Figueroa-Rosario seeking a Doctor of Philosophy
degree at the University of Denver.
Journal: UMI University Microfilms International was founded in 1930s by Eugene
Power in Ann Arbor. UMI provides an economical alternative to graduate students to
offset printing as a means of meeting their doctoral publication requirements. As of
today, a vast number of educational institutions in the U.S. publish their doctoral
dissertations through UMI. By 1995, UMI starting offering online availability to
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selected database at no cost, becoming the origins of was is now known as
ProQuest Online.
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is opinion. The information
appears to be valid and well researched because the author directly interviewed
families from this Island. She was completely immersed in the topic of research.
Methodology: The paradigm used was the Social Constructivist Worldview. This
worldview states that meanings are constructed by human beings as they engage in
the world they are interpreting. The researcher used some open-ended questions so
that the participants could share their views. Also individuals that participated in the
interviews were humans engage with their world and were making sense of it based
on their historical and social perspectives.
Coverage: The study covered four resilient families from the Vieques Island, 7 head
start parents, 3 civil disobedient camp and 2 people from community. Overall thirty
three residents from Vieques were selected for the study. The four families that
have been selected lived in Vieques over their lifetime and based on their abilities
and strength to deal successfully with day to day stressful life. People in close
proximity to these families were also interviewed for the study. Thus for the study a
purposive sample was selected and is appropriate for qualitative case study
analysis.
Writing Style: All the main points in this study were clearly presented and the text
was easy to read.
Findings + Significances:
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The author studies the values that determine and shape the wellness concept
and processes that are responsible for maintenance and development of
wellness among four Vieques island’s four resilient families.
The author found three primary values vital for relational wellness
development and maintenance for the community members and families
from Vieques, which include family unity, patriotism and community support.
o Open communication among family members, flexible and equitable
home rules, moral concepts teaching, sense of cooperation for the
entire family good and family celebrations and activities that involve
all family members develop family unity.
The author found that in Vieques the value of community support is instilled
across generations, and it promotes social justice, sense of unity,
collaboration, respect for others and caring.
For the Vieques community strongest support is provided by informal social
networks.
o Resources from outer systems incorporated into family systems also
support wellness of the children in the family.
Community involvement during the civil disobedience movement against US
also promoted community and personal growth and love for Vieques also
promotes community wellness.
The author found in his study that wellness promotion depends upon the
values established not only by one’s family system but also the values
established within the community and these values should guide the process
toward a wellness state and work in concert and complement each other,
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they should not be coerced or compete each other and must promote both
collective and personal wellness.
This study is significant in understanding which values promote wellness
among families and communities.
Typology application: Possible hospitality/ educational project. An educational
project is much needed where children and rest of the staff teach and practice
values of self-determination, kindness, cooperation, respect and self-sufficiency.
These are some of the values that families in the island of Vieque possess.
Quotations:
1. “When families incorporate people from outer contexts or systems into their
microsystem or family context, they create opportunities for children to
interact meaningfully with new attachment figures, thus expanding the
nucleus of support whereby children build resilient characteristics.” Page 261
2. “The determination, self-confidence, goal-orientation, work ethic, coping
strategies, internal locus of control, and problem-solving skills possessed by
these women have been documented extensively in resiliency literature
(Brooks & Goldstein, 2001; Garmezy, 1983; Luthar & Zigler, 1991; Werner &
Smith, 1982).
3. “Community networks have proven to be a strength for the community of
Vieques. Taking that into consideration, as well as the families’ preference for
using informal sources or ecological niches to promote and sustain their
wellness, action plans should focus on the utilization of formal systems.
Formal systems can be used to strengthen informal systems.” Page 270
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4) Mayank, B., & Amit J. Green Marketing: A study of consumer
perception and preferences in India. Electronic Green Journal, 1(36).
ISSN 1076-7975. Retrieved from
http://escholarship.org/uc/item/5mc39217
Author Credentials: Bhatia, Mayank, Ahmedabad Institute of Technology Affiliated
to Gujurat Technological University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. She has 6 years of
experience in the industry and 4 years in academic.
Jain, Amit is an Associate Professor in the Marketing Area in JK Lakshmipat
University. Dr. Jain has several publications to his credit. He has also worked in
research papers at national and international conferences organized by institutes in
different countries.
Journal: Electronic Green Journal, 1(36)
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is opinion. The information
appears to be valid and well-researched. The ideas and arguments do advanced
more or less in line with other works I have read on the topic.
Methodology: I think this study uses the Advocacy and Participatory
(emancipatory) Worldview. This worldview is typically seen with qualitative
research, and that’s what this study is: qualitative. Also this worldview holds that
research inquiry needs to be intertwined with politics and a political agenda and the
authors of this study state that green marketing calls upon businesses to follow
ethical and green practices while dealing with customers, dealers, suppliers,
employees. They also mentioned the Public Sector Units and the state
governments.
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Coverage: The survey covered 106 respondents. 10 consumers were selected for
pretesting the questionnaire designed for the survey; this has ensured that
questionnaire has high level of content validity. The sample was selected based on
convenience. As the sample size was very small it cannot be said that it is
representative of the entire population and credibility of the study is questionable.
Writing Style: The publication is organized logically and the text was easy to read.
In addition, all the main points were clearly presented.
Findings + Significances:
The authors study the concept of Green marketing’s importance in Indian
market, perception and preferences of Indian consumers as there was little
research conducted on this subject in India.
The authors found that among the Indian consumers there exists a high level
of awareness about green products and practices and other environmental
issues.
The research also suggests that managers must communicate green
products’ high green value to consumers using well designed marketing
communication campaigns.
As marketing companies’ campaigns regarding green products have a
positive significant impact on increasing the awareness and perception about
green products and practices and are useful in persuading consumers to
prefer and buy green products.
This study mentioned that the following are some characteristics of products
to be recognized as green:
o Energy efficient (both in use and in production).
o Water efficient (both in use and production).
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o Low emitting (low on hazardous emissions).
o Safe and/or healthy products.
o Recyclable and/or with recycled content.
o Durable (long-lasting).
o Biodegradable.
o Renewable.
o Reused products.
o Third party certified to public or transport standard (e.g., organic,
certified wood).
o Locally produced.
Typology application: This research has opened up the possibilities to do an
educational typology. I find a need with educating more people about sustainable
products and lifestyle because it will probably be the only chance to change their
mentalities. Education takes people out of the ignorance and start making them
aware of sustainable issues.
Quotations:
1. “Research has given good insights for marketers of the green products and
suggests the need of designing the marketing communication campaigns
promoting green products due to high green value among the consumers.”
Page 1
2. “Thus using green marketing by the organizations not only provides an
opportunity to meet consumer expectations and address their environmental
concerns, but also to gain a competitive advantage and a strong consumer
base.” Page 1-2
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3. “Green marketing is also termed as environmental marketing or ecological
marketing. According to American Marketing Association, marketing of
products that are presumed to be environmentally safe is called as Green
Marketing.” Page 2
4. “Consumers’ agreement regarding environmental degradation was high and
may prefer green products over conventional products to protect the
environment. Marketers can come up with new green products and
communicate the benefits to the consumers.” Page 8
Subquestion 5: Is there a relationship between materialism and the well-
being of people?
1) Bauer M.A., Wilkie J.E.B., Kim J.K., & Bodenhausen G.V. (2012).
Cuing Consumerism: Situational Materialism Undermines Personal
and Social Well-Being. Psychological Science, 23 (5), 517-523.
Author Credentials: Monika A. Bauer, James E.B. Wilkie, Jung K. Kim, andGalen V.
Bodenhausen from Northwestern University.
Journal: Psychological Science 23(5) 517-523
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered is opinion, conclusions that the
researchers arrived after their experiments. The information appears to be valid.
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Methodology: They used qualitative and quantitative strategies. It is quantitative
because the researchers developed a table with numerical values about the effects
of consumer cues on participants’ responses from the experiments 1 to 4 that they
generated. It is qualitative in the sense that premises and hypotheses emerge from
interpreted data. Additionally, the study uses the Pragmatic Worldview. This
worldview is concerned with applications and solutions to problems.
Coverage: This work substantiates other sources. There were four experiments the
researchers developed. The first one was done with fifty undergraduates (28
females, 22 male; average age 18.84 years). The second experiment used fifty-
eight undergraduates (37 females, 21 male; average age 19.7 years). The third
experiment involved sixty-six undergraduates (42 female, 24 male; average age 19
years). The fourth experiment used seventy-seven individuals (43 female, 34 male;
average age 32 years). Their experiments brought more light to the issue of
consumerism.
Writing Style: The text was easy to read and all the information was organized in
a logical manner.
Findings + Significances:
Individuals living a materialistic lifestyle tend to feel more anxiety,
unhappiness and lower quality of social relationships.
o In other words, materialistic individuals tend to experience low levels
of well-being.
This study points out that money brings a self-sufficiency orientation where
people prefer to have greater distance from others, and to help others less.
This study also asserts that when we invest in efforts to improve a
community we find happiness, health and life satisfaction.
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Researchers state that a wide variety of correlational studies indicates that
individuals who score higher in materialism values have lower levels of
mental and physical well-being.
Typology application: I can create a hospitality typology, an ecovillage or spiritual
retreat. This study clearly shows how materialistic individuals tend to experience
lower levels of well-being. So creating a sustainable space that contributes to an
individual peace of mind, happiness, and relaxation can indirectly have a positive
effect in a person’s mind creating a link between sustainability and happiness.
Quotations:
1. “More materialistic values also predict high levels of anxiety and unhappiness
(Kasser&Ahuvia, 2002) and are associated with lower-quality social
relationships (Kasser&Ryan, 1993, 2001).” Page 517
2. “Vohs et al. argued that “money brings about a self-sufficiency orientation in
which people prefer to be free of dependency and dependents” (p.1154).”
Page 522
3. “Our findings corroborate the view that individuals and societies pay a high
price for adopting a ubiquitously consumerist orientation that may undermine
social cohesion.” Page 522
4. “After all, it is by investing in efforts to connect with and benefit their
communities that individuals often find personal happiness, health, and life
satisfaction (Helliwell & Putnam, 2004).” Page 522
2) Kasser, T., Rosenblum, K. L., Sameroff, A. J., Deci, E. L., Niemiec, C.
P., Ryan, R. M., ... & Hawks, S. (2013). Changes in materialism,
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changes in psychological well-being: Evidence from three
longitudinal studies and an intervention experiment. Motivation and
Emotion, 38(1), 1-22.
Author Credentials:
T. Kasser from the Department of Psychology, Knox College, Galesburg
K.K.Rosenblum from the Center for Human Growth and Development, University of
Michigan
A.J. Sameroff from the Department of Psychology, University of Michigan
E.L. Deci, C.P. Niemiec , R.M Ryan from the Department of Clinical and Social
Psychology, University of Rochester, NY
O.Amadottir, R. Bond, H. Dittmar from the Department of Psychology, University of
Sussex
N. Dungan, S. Hawks from ShareSaveSpend, Minneapolis, MN.
Journal: Motivation and Emotion Journal (2014) 38:1-22
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information covered was fact. The information appears
to be well-researched. The arguments they present are well supported by the
evidence of the 3 studies they developed to examine how changes in materialistic
aspirations relate to changes in well-being.
Methodology: The researchers used the Pragmatic Worldview Paradigm. This
worldview aims in solving problems as they exists right now, and a that’s what they
researchers were trying to find; they wanted to examined how changes in
materialism relate to changes in well-being. The researchers used a qualitative and
quantitative strategy for the study, so mixed methods. There is numerical
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measurement material and well as construction of a reality that cannot be isolated
from contextual factors.
Coverage: They conducted four studies to longitudinally examine individuals and
their hypothesis. The samples were US young adults and Icelandic adults.
Writing Style: The ideas were organized logically. The text was easy to read, I
found all the main points clearly presented.
Findings + Significances:
This research points out that there are two cross-cultural studies that have
empirically supported the claim that corporate capitalist economic
organizations maintenance depends upon individuals to setting a high priority
on materialistic goals.
Countries where individuals set materialistic values showed a lower score on
an index of child- well being developed by UNICEF.
A solution to the issue could be that psychologists develop means of
promoting resilience to materialistic messages.
An attempt should be made to promote values that promote materialism.
Per the results of this research, there is a possibility that an individual
increases his self-esteem if he decreases his materialistic goals.
The results of the first Study they did showed that to the degree individuals
placed less importance on financial success goals between ages of 18 and 30,
their mental health improved.
Messages that come from parent, peers, and commercial television play a
crucial role in the relative importance that people place on materialistic aims.
Researchers state that an attempt should be made to promote values that
oppose materialism.
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o For instance, self-transcendent values and intrinsic goals (personal
goals of growth and freedom, have close relationships with loved ones,
and benefiting the wider world) would be consider as values that
oppose extrinsic goals for money, status and wealth.
Typology application: I could design a spiritual retreat combined with a school
that teaches children to love themselves and to improve their self-esteem. Thanks
to this research I know that it is possible to intervene in adolescents’ lives so they
can decrease the values they place on materialistic values. – Hospitality mixed with
Educational would be they typology.
Quotations:
1. “Starting in the mid-1980s and early 1990s (Blek 1985; Kasser and Ryan
1993; Richins and Dawson 1992), empirical evidence began to accumulate
showing that the more that people prioritized values and goals for money and
possessions, relative to toher aims in life, the lower they scored on outcomes
such as life satisfaction, happiness, vitality, and self-actualization, and the
higher they scored on outcomes such as depression, anxiety, behavior
disorders, and a host of other types of psychopathology (see Kasser 202, for
a review).” Page 1-2
2. “Such results are consistent with the theoretical proposition that when people
become less focused on attaining money and possessions, they feel more
autonomous, competent, and related to others, and these experiences of
psychological need satisfaction are associated with improved well-being,
whereas an increased orientation towards materialistic aims is associated
with declines in need satisfaction, and declines in well-being.” Page 8
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3. “First, the results showed that it is possible to intervene in adolescents’ lives
so as to decrease the priority they place on materialistic goals.” Page 17
4. “Further, recent research (Maio et al. 2009) suggests that merely activating
self-transcendent, intrinsic aims might suppress the extent to which people
prioritize materialistic aims, at least in the short term.” Page 20
3) Chancellor, J., & Lyubomirsky, L. (2012). Money for Happiness: The
Hedonic Benefits of
Thrift. Consumer’s dilemma: The search for well-being in the material
world. New York: Springer.
Author Credentials: Joseph Chancellor, Sonja Lyubomirsky, from the University of
California, Riverside
Intended Audience: Professionals/ Students
Objective Reasoning: The information is valid and well researched. The
information covered is opinion.
Methodology: Qualitative strategy, and a Social Constructivist Worldview. This
worldview indicates that meanings are constructed by human beings as they
engage in the world they are interpreting. These meanings are negotiated socially
and historically.
Coverage: The study covered a broad literature on emotions, economics, well-
being, and consumer psychology to suggest 10 ways to increase happiness with
less spending. They have covered more than 300 journal articles, reports and books
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and online articles to support their arguments and suggest sound practices that can
lessen money spending. Such broad coverage improves credibility of the study.
Writing Style: The information in this article was easy to read and all the main
ideas were well presented.
Findings + Significances:
The authors highlight the benefits associated with being thrift when
materialism, consumerism and overconsumption are being blamed for many
social and economic problems.
The authors study the relationship between happiness and money and claim
that happiness cannot be increased with more money because of three main
reasons, hedonic adaptation, affecting forecasting errors and chronic
overspending.
They suggest that that individuals can practice thrift by practicing 10 ways in
their daily lives that will result in spending and consuming less while making
the individual happier in the process.
From the study we learn that money matters and can buy some happiness
however more money does not mean more happiness and it eventually
erodes happiness and sometimes happiness does not require money.
Thus the authors suggest that thrift is a better alternative. The 10 ways they
suggested were “cure ills before seeking thrills, meet needs before indulging
desires, don’t borrow - buy it outright, postpone pleasure, learn the thrill of
saving, don’t impress- enjoy, don’t hoard - share, don’t have- do, don’t
forget-focus, don’t binge – savor” (p.13-39).
This study points out that many associate thrift with being stingy but that the
word actually comes from the term thrive.
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Research state that thrift has close associations with the virtues of generosity
(when we use one’s surplus to benefit others), temperance (when we
consume in moderation), and wisdom (when we are more conscious about
not wasting resources).
Research points out that about 2,500 years ago, Socrates saw his life mission
as persuading people to pay less attention to the pursuit of money,
reputation and honors and place more attention to seek truth, wisdom and
self-improvement. (Page 11)
Other historical facts:
o King Salomon, who was the richest man of his era, noticed that when
people love money too much they would lose sleep because they were
worried about losing their wealth, plus they were never satisfied with
their incomes.
o In Buddhist religion, monks would practice extreme thrift by squeezing
maximum utility out of their meager possessions, they would recycle
old robes into quilts, old quilts into covers, old covers into rugs, old
rugs into dusters, and lastly, old dusters into a mixture of clay and
cloth to repair monastery’s walls. (Page 12)
o Furthermore, in the North American culture, we can find evidence of
how communities would discourage wasteful and excess consumption;
such is the case of Puritan and Quaker communities.
George Bernard Shaw said that “Our necessities are few, but our want are
endless.”
Typology application: This study opened up the possibility to create a retail store.
I can create a space where children learn how to reuse recyclable materials to
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create new art or products. In addition there could be another space where second
hand goods are sold.
Quotations:
1. “In times of scarcity, thrift ensures physical survival. But even in times of
plenty, thrift aids in psychological survival, by helping individuals avoid
unfulfilling distractions and orient their lives toward need satisfying pursuits.”
Page 13
2. “The true source of cheerfulness,” wrote William Goodwin “is benevolence.”
Generosity can be both enjoyable and inexpensive. Prosocial behavior is
associated with a number of positive outcomes, such as well-being, life
satisfaction, and positive affect.” Page 30
3. “The virtue of thrift in particular holds special relevance to the modern era. In
a world of unlimited resources, the choice to consume or conserve might be
strictly philosophical. However, in an increasingly populated and
interconnected world, one’s lifestyle choices not only affect neighbors down
the street but also across the ocean.” Page 42
4. “Thrift can complement this endeavor by extending the meaning of
sustainability, ensuring that the collective can flourish as well as the
individual.” Page 42
D. Possible typologies
Educational
Hospitality
Retail
Art Center
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