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The material and immaterial in conflict: Spirituality reduces conspicuous consumption

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

Abstract

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

Suggested Citation

  • Stillman, Tyler F. & Fincham, Frank D. & Vohs, Kathleen D. & Lambert, Nathaniel M. & Phillips, Christa A., 2012. "The material and immaterial in conflict: Spirituality reduces conspicuous consumption," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 1-7.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:33:y:2012:i:1:p:1-7
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2011.08.012
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    14. Rafi M. M. I. Chowdhury, 2018. "Religiosity and Voluntary Simplicity: The Mediating Role of Spiritual Well-Being," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 152(1), pages 149-174, September.
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    19. Patrice Cottet & Magali Muraro, 2020. "La quête de nature comme expérience spirituelle," Post-Print hal-02586618, HAL.
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    21. Khan, Muhammad Akram, 2020. "Theory of Consumer Behavior: An Islamic Perspective," MPRA Paper 104208, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Spirituality; Religion; Materialism; Conspicuous consumption; Spending;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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