Unit 8: The Material Self

Question 1

Known as economic self, pertain to physical elements of possessions that reflect who you are

Answer 1

Material Self

Question 2

Defined the term material self

Answer 2

William James

Question 3

The 3 basic components of the material self according to William James

Answer 3

• Body (innermost part)
• Clothes (symbolism or representation of the self)
• Material Components (other belongings)

Question 4

[…] said that “I shop therefore I am: I have therefore I am”

Answer 4

Barbara Kruger

Question 5

Represents a relationship between the consumer and the goods or services they consume

Answer 5

Consumer Culture

Question 6

The 6 characteristics of Consumer Culture

Answer 6

• a culture of consumption
• a culture of market society
• universal and impersonal
• identifies freedom with private choice and life
• insatiable and unlimited
• a privileged medium for building personal identity and status

Question 7

The 3 reasons why people shop

Answer 7

• biological
• psychological
• sociological

Question 8

Defined as a symbolic idea which is dynamic and context-dependent

Answer 8

Identity
(Mach)

Question 9

Defined identity as a social category and a socially distinguishing feature

Answer 9

Erik Erikson

Question 10

Refers to human desire to acquire products and goods in excess of one’s basic needs

Answer 10

Consumerism

Question 11

The 6 problems with consumerism

Answer 11

• intrusive
• manipulative
• cannot provide important things
• restricts choices and lives
• affects worldviews and characters
• unsustainable

Question 12

The quantity of people worldwide now belonging to the consumer class

Answer 12

1.7 billion

Question 13

The percentage of species that could become extinct due to climate change, which is directly related to consumption

Answer 13

37%

Question 14

2 ways for conscious consumption

Answer 14

• exercise intellectual independence
• consume less, live more