The social psychology of material possessions : to have is to be
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The social psychology of material possessions : to have is to be
St. Martin's Press , Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1992
- : pbk
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Note
Bibliography: p. 207-238
Includes indexes
Description and Table of Contents
Description
This book, which is aimed at the undergraduate social psychology students, introduces a social constructionist approach which proposes that the meanings of material possessions are socially constituted and shared. Possessions are conceptualized as symbols of identity which can express and communicate an individuals's social position and personal qualities. Material context may therefore play a significant role in various areas of social cognition, a notion which runs counter to the contemporary Anglo-American conception of identity as unique, autonomous and free of contextual factors.
Table of Contents
- To have is to be - is that the question?
- biological accounts of possessions and property - the "acquisitive instinct" in modern disguise?
- the individual-centred approach - material possessions as parts of the extended self
- a social constructionist perspective - possessions as material symbols of identity
- possessions as symbolic expressions of identity
- material possessions as reflections of identity - gender, social-material position and social groups
- fine weather makes fine birds - the impact of material context on perceived identity
- the current Western conception of identity - the materialism-idealism paradox.
by "Nielsen BookData"