This study explores the concepts of materialism and postmaterialism using Inglehart's theory of postmaterialism. 288 participants completed surveys measuring materialism, postmaterialism, well-being, and consumption behaviors. Results showed that popular definitions of materialism highly overlap while measures of postmaterialism were less correlated, suggesting they are distinct constructs. Regression analyses found that materialism positively predicted maladaptive consumption and material buying, while postmaterialism negatively predicted these behaviors. Materialism also negatively predicted well-being, while postmaterialism positively predicted well-being. The findings suggest materialism and postmaterialism should be measured separately as they have different implications for consumption and well-being.

1. Exploring Concepts of Materialism and Postmaterialism
Julia Godzikovskaya, MA Candidate & Ryan Howell, PhD
Background Method Table 2. Predicting SWB, maladaptive consumption,
and its different types with materialism and
 There is lack of clarity in defining concept of Participants (N = 288; 80% female; 82% ≤24 yr postmaterialism1,2
old) recruited from the SFSU student population B(SE) β
materialism.
completed an online survey. Model 1. Predicting SWB, R 2 =
 Few have explored concept of non- .131***
materialism. Results & Discussion Materialism -.26(.06)-.29***
 Theory of postmaterialism (Inglehart, 1990):  Materialism measures were strongly Postmaterialism .12(.08) .11
• materialism is an enduring emphasis on intercorrelated (average r = .57) suggesting Model 2. Predicting Maladaptive Consumption,
2 = .215***
R
physical and economic security; that popular definitions of materialism share a
Materialism .31(.05) .38***
large conceptual overlap.
• postmaterialism is an enduring emphasis on Postmaterialism -.16(.07) -.15*
nonmaterial goals and quality of life;  Postmaterialism measures had weaker
interrelations (average r = .25) suggesting that Model 3. Predicting Compulsive Buying, R 2 =
• materialism and postmaterialism are the .187***
postmaterialism is a broader construct than Materialism .38(.06) .45***
opposite ends of one dimension.
materialism. correlations between
Table 1. Pearson Postmaterialism -.03(.07) -.03
Current Study aggregated measures of Materialism, Model 4. Predicting Material Buying, R 2 =
Postmaterialism, Maladaptive Consumption .225***
Using the framework of postmaterialism theory,
Behaviors, and SWB Materialism .32(.10) .23**
the current study seeks to clarify: 1 2 3 4
Postmaterialism household income,-.57(.12)-.31***
 whether popular definitions of materialism in 1. Materialism - 1
2
Controlling for age, gender, and response bias.
Interaction between materialism and postmaterialism was not
psychology and consumer research and the 2. Postmaterialism -.57** - significant.
3 * p < .05; ** p < .01; *** p < .001
definition proposed by the postmaterialism 3. Maladaptive .49**-.39** -
theory describe distinct or overlapping Consumption Behaviors  Results of regression analyses suggest that
constructs; 4. SWB -.43** .31**-.30** - materialism and postmaterialism have
** p < .01
different implications for consumption
 the concept of postmaterialism and its
relations with materialism, maladaptive
 Correlational results suggest that materialism behaviors and
and postmaterialism may in fact be one- SWB and should be measured separately in
consumption behaviors, and subjective well-
dimensional. future studies.
being (SWB).
Measures • Experiential Buying Tendency Scale (Howell, Selected References
Pchelin, & Iyer, 2011); Ger G. & Belk, R.W. (1996). Cross-cultural differences in
Materialism reverse-scored to assess material buying materialism. Journal of Economic Psychology, 17(1): 55-77.
• Materialism Scale (Ger & Belk, 1996) tendency Howell, R. T., Pchelin, P., & Iyer, R. (2011). The preference for experiences
• Material Values Scale (Richins, 2004) • Credit Card Misuse Scale (Roberts & Jones, over possessions: Measurement and construct validation of the
experiential buying tendency scale. The Journal of Positive Psychology,
• Aspiration Index (Kasser & Ryan, 1993) 2001 (415), 1-43.
• Revised Materialism-Postmaterialism Index • Self-reported debt Inglehart, R. (1990). Culture shift in advanced industrial society.
(Giacalone & Jurkiewicz, 2004) Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
SWB Kasser, T., & Ryan R. M. (1993). A dark side of the American dream:
Postmaterialism • Satisfaction With Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Correlates of financial success as a central life aspiration. Journal
• Postmaterialism Index (Abramson & Inglehart, Larson, & Griffin, 1985)
of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(2), 410-422.
Richins, M. (2004). The material values scale: Measurement
1995) • Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & properties and development of a short Form. Journal of Consumer
• Revised Materialism-Postmaterialism Index Lepper, 1999) Research, 31, 209-219.