Consumer Society Impacts of consumption on people‘s

well-being

Conclusion

Introduction

3

5

1

2

Examples of Less Consumption

Happiness and Consumption

4

2

Becoming happy with Consumption

Agenda

Definition

Consumer Society

,,is a society in which people often buy new goods, especially goods that they do not need, and in which a high value is placed on owning many things.”

(Cambridge Dictionary)

Maslow‘s Pyramid of Needs

Economic view on consumption

Earned money is spent

Companies produce more

Hire new workers

More people have more money

Offers labour power

Gives financial compensation

Consumption

13,1

35,9

13,9

10,5

26,6

Transport

Rent, Energy,Housing Costs

Alimentation, Drinks,Tobacco

Leisure and CulturalActivities

Other Things

Conclusion

Introduction

3

5

1

7

Examples of Less Consumption

Happiness and Consumption

4

2

Becoming happy with Consumption

Definition

,,Happiness is a state of well-being that can be distinguished in two parts:

1)Short-term happiness: A state that is connected to a special incidient and fades quite quickly

2) Long-term happiness: A state that implies an overall statisfaction with one‘s life.“

World Happiness Index

1. Denmark 2. Switzerland 3. Iceland 13. United States 16. Germany 27. Czech Republic 32. France 45. Slovakia 53. Japan 129. Bulgaria 157. Burundi

Positive Effects on Consumption

Basic Needs The more the fulfilment of the basic needs is threatend, the happier consumption makes

Thrill Consumption resembles the use of a drug

Recognition Other people will recognize the products one wears or uses

Economic Growth Increase of GDP as companies produces more

Creation of Jobs The economic growth leads to new jobs

more jobs

Negative Effects of Consumption

Use of time The selection of products takes time especially in times were the alternatives seem to be endless Discrimination of people with a lack of financial resources People with less money to consume will have difficulties to receive recognition Diminishing marginal unity The more one consumes of a certain good, the less additional benefit he will receive, eventually he needs a new Product (Adaption-Level Phenomen)

Negative Effects of Consumption

Habituation of Consumption Products will loose the extent of satisfaction they gave one in the begining (Hedonic treadmill) Comparison: As soon as a good is purchased, one starts to compare it with other people having a focus one the ones who have better products (Relative Consumption) Lack of Time for Usage Nowadays more often we only buy the possibilty to use a good, in theory, we don‘t have the time for it Environmetal Effects Production needs ressources as well as the disposal of not useable products

Conclusion

Introduction

3

5

1

13

Examples of Less Consumption

Happiness and Consumption

4

2

Becoming happy with Consumption

Mark Zuckerbeg

• Founder of Facebook

• Estimated fortune: 55 billion Euro

• Lifestyle that doesn‘t fit his income

Diogenes of Sinope

• Greek philosopher that lived in a barrel

• Reduced his personal need‘s to an absolute minimum

• Independence from his environment

• Got rid of all his belongings

(even cup to drink)

Scrooge Mc Duck

• Comic figure created by Carl Barks

• Avoids consumption as much as possible

• Does time travel in order to use an expired voucher

• Reads newspapers he finds in the trash

• Main motivation to obtain and

increase the fortune

Conclusion

Introduction

3

5

1

17

Examples of Less Consumption

Happiness and Consumption

4

2

Becoming happy with Consumption

Tips how to get happy with consumption

• Consuming events instead of products

• Buying more small things than one big happiness effect of the purchasing progress

• Informing before buying a product

• Selling or giving back products back that doesn‘t fit your

requirements

• Instead of consuming for yourself, give poor people the chance to consume with donating a little amount of money

Conclusion

Introduction

3

5

1

19

Examples of Less Consumption

Happiness and Consumption

4

2

Becoming happy with Consumption

Conclusion

• The more money one has the more money one will spend on consumption!

• Satisfaction of consumption depends highly on what your environment is consuming!

• Purchasing products only gives short-term happines until people got used to them!

That‘s just what industry wants!

Thank you very much for your

attention!