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Understanding the Material Self

William James argued that the self is composed of a material self and social/spiritual selves. The material self consists of one's body, family, possessions, and money. Acquiring material goods has been associated with success and happiness, though the constant pursuit and acquisition of possessions can lead to dissatisfaction, unhappiness, depression, and negatively impact relationships as materialism is prioritized over intrinsic values.

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Rigine Pobe Morgadez
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25K views27 pages

Understanding the Material Self

William James argued that the self is composed of a material self and social/spiritual selves. The material self consists of one's body, family, possessions, and money. Acquiring material goods has been associated with success and happiness, though the constant pursuit and acquisition of possessions can lead to dissatisfaction, unhappiness, depression, and negatively impact relationships as materialism is prioritized over intrinsic values.

Uploaded by

Rigine Pobe Morgadez
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Material Self
  • Assumption
  • Body
  • Family
  • Clothes
  • Money
  • Material Self Overview
  • Success and Happiness
  • Social Interaction Cycle
  • Peers
  • Media
  • Economy
  • Materialism
  • Consumerism
  • Diderot Effect
  • Wants versus Needs
  • Materialism vs Prosocial
  • Intrinsic Values
  • Conclusion

Self

ASSUMPTION
- According to William James (1890), the
Me-Self is consist of MATERIAL SELF along
with social and spiritual self.
- He pointed out that MATERIAL SELF is
consist of things that belong to a person
or entities that a person belongs to.

- The MATERIAL SELF is composed of body,


family, clothes and other material things,
and money.
BODY
FAMILY
CLOTHES
MONEY
TANGIBLES FRIENDS

MATERIAL SELF
FAMILY REPUTATION
Acquisition of material things has been associated to
success and happiness of a person.
Example: Having luxurious things or gadgets implicates that the person is
earning well and doing well in terms of finances.
Social Interaction

Acquisition of Insecurity
Material Possessions Low Self-Esteem

Work Hard
Aim for Success
PEERS
MEDIA
ECONOMY
MATERIALISM
It refers to giving more importance to material
possessions than intangible values or non-physical
objects.
MATERIALISM
It is defined as a want towards acquiring and
spending on earthly needs and material desires.
CONSUMERISM
It is the consumption of material goods and
services in excess of one’s basic needs.
CONSUMERISM
We may have bought items because others have it.
Diderot Effect
It implies that a newly acquired possession creates
discontentment with existing belongings and place.
Diderot Effect
Putting more importance on one material possession
consequently triggers the longing or desire for more
which at first you do not totally need at all.
Diderot Effect
It can eventually lead to never ending cycle or pattern
of buying things which is also associated with
negative effects on mental aspect of a person (e.g.,
compulsion to buy)
DISSATISFACTION
UNHAPPINESS
DEPRESSION
Materialism also affects our relationship with other people: They more we value materialistic aspirations,
the less prosocial we tend to be.
We act in less emphatic, less cooperative, and less generous ways when money is on our minds.
What drives people to
prioritize materialistic values?
INTRINSIC VALUES
• These values are all about doing or chasing
something that’s personally meaningful to
you.
• Community contribution, personal growth,
self-acceptance, building harmonious
relationships

Self
ASSUMPTION - According to William James (1890), the Me-Self is consist of MATERIAL SELF along with social and spiritual sel
BODY
FAMILY
CLOTHES
MONEY
MATERIAL SELF TANGIBLES FAMILY FRIENDS REPUTATION
Acquisition of material things has been associated to success and happiness of a person. Example: Having luxurious things or
Social Interaction Insecurity Low Self-Esteem Work Hard Aim for Success Acquisition of Material Possessions
PEERS

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