Possession attachment is a key element of human nature and involves a commitment to objects. The document analyzes attachment to cars and computers through surveys and interviews. It finds that attachment value includes utilitarian, mood altering, and symbolic components. Coding of interview data showed that reminders of family and practical usefulness were important attachment factors. Long-term users expressed stronger mood altering experiences and symbolic value through associated memories. The level of reluctance to replace possessions also increased with time as emotional involvement grew.

1. Special Possession
Attachment Theory
Betty Saavedra
Sakib Hussain

2. Introduction
Material possession attachment is a key element of
human nature and behavior.
Possession attachment has many characteristics; amongst
them the main one is commitment to an object.

3. Attachment Value
Value Distribution
● Utilitarian Value
● Mood Altering Value
● Symbolic Value

4. Data collecting and coding
- Survey
- Interview
Demographic information of interview data:
Interviewee: 13
Car User: 8
Computer User: 5
Heavy User: 9
Moderate User: 4

5. Coding result and finding

6. Coding result and finding
SC2 - Reminds of Family and other groups of people
UA2 - Has lots of Practical Usefulness

7. Coding result and finding
Time Frame of Usage for Focus group
Consumers who used the product less than 1 year have more Utilitarian value and Symbolic
value than Mood altering value.
Consumers who have used it for more than 1 year expressed more about how they feel
connected to the product and they shared more moods altering experience and Symbolic
value.
The more time they have passed with the product, the more stories were associated with it.
Hence, it increased Symbolic value for the consumer.
The more time a person spent with a product, the more he/she were reluctant to get rid of it.

8. Inter Rater Reliability
ID – SH7, Reference - 3,4. Statement was, “He bought this car from his parents 4 years ago and
using it since then.(4) He shared a story about it as he remembers he went to Yellowstones
National park with his parents and had great fun and at the end of the trip on his way back
home, his parents agreed to sell this car to him.”
SA2 - reminds him of particular event or places
SA3 - which resemble a record of personal History.
ID- SB10, Reference 4. The statement was “He (car) takes me everywhere with no problems”.
UA2- Which referred to has a lot of practical usefulness
UA1- Allows me to be efficient in my daily life or work .

9. What motivates them
When we interview our car/laptop consumer we could
notice that they had an enduring involvement.
They seemed motivated by the feelings the car/laptop
may give them.
The majority said that the car/laptop will change their
mood and this motivated them to keep their car as it
was part of their own history.

10. How are they connected?
We can notice that they were connected by their
expressiveness function.
Instrumental importance their car/laptop may become
very special to them because they are extremely
useful.

11. Possession attachment has many characteristics, amongst
them the main one is commitment to an object.
“When I am sad I just get a ride around the city with music and my mood is a lot better.
I love my car. I am always very worried about the change of oil and everything that has to do with
taking care of him. He is very important for me and he has a name, Toby.
I eat inside of the car, I have half of my closet in there, and I have my trips with him.”
“I have many stories with him but this day I realized my car has been very loyal to me. I know it may
sound silly that a car can be loyal but that is how I see it.”
Key Factors

12. Key Factors
Loneliness.
Status.

13. Theory
Memories and
enjoyment.
Time was a very
important variable.

14. Conclusion Statement
“Possession attachment increase with Time as
a person gets more involved emotionally with
the product through memories and usefulness”

15. Any Question?