Running head: CONSUMERISM ASSIGNMENT 1

Consumerism Assignment

Jennifer Beeman-Mueller

University of Maryland Global Campus

SOCY-300

Larisa Kofman

February 4 2023
CONSUMERISM ASSIGNMENT 2

Introduction

From an economic perspective people have different types of wants and needs. A need is

an item that is necessary in the life of an individual to live and function. On the other hand, a

want is one that improves one’s quality of life. For instance, a need can include food, water,

clothing, shelter, and medical care. A want can include an item such as a car, electricity, or a

smartphone- can include everything else used by an individual. Americans have a unique way of

living that defines and differentiates them from others. Americans are seen to be people who

have distinct values. American society is generally a consumer one and most of its citizens have

a distinctive ideology of always wanting more than one product. This kind of behavior often

causes over-consumption which is now being considered to be harmful. Americans have started

having a different notion regarding this issue of over-purchasing wants in their life. It is at this

point where the word consumerism comes up (Kiron, 1997). Consumerism is actually this habit

of consuming goods and services for pleasure even if they have the same goods. In line with that,

the following paper will be discussing the effects of consumerism on society using personal

experiences.

Product Definition and Selection

As a matter of fact, I have bought many products for as long as I live. Some of them have

been classified as wants and others needs. In my case here, I am going to use a scenario where I

bought a new electric cooker for my home. In this case I bought a Hot Plate, Techwood 1800W

Electric cooker from Amazon shops. The cooker has two top plates. One of the plates works

without cookware restrictions at all because one can use aluminum, glass, or stainless steel pots.

The black electric cooker has an intimate design and can be used in homes, offices, camps,

caravans, and holiday homes among others. It has a high thermal efficiency as it heats food fast
CONSUMERISM ASSIGNMENT 3

and has minimal heat loss- hence saving energy. It can be used to cook a variety of foods such as

fried fish, scrambled eggs, boiled water, pasta, and chocolate melting among others. I bought this

product after seeing it being advertised on social media. I bought it even if I had a Samsung

model that did not have the same features as the Techwood Cooker. Therefore, I will definitely

classify it as a want because it was going to improve the quality of my life. I could still use the

Samsung cooker but I needed to feel a change in my home.

Product Manufacture and Distribution

Techwood is a HongKong company that manufactures electronic gadgets that are

distributed globally. One can buy products from the company directly or from retail shops or

supermarkets nearby. It produces electric cookers using modern technology that has minimal

pollution on the environment even though it is normal for such companies to release gasses into

the atmosphere and some waste materials in rivers or on bare land. Harris (1997), observes that

such products pollute the environment-starting from their production, transport, usage and

disposal. The products are distributed via air, land or sea. Most people tend to dispose of the used

gadgets in their homes, backyards, or public dump sites. Engineers and technicians are needed in

the production of the Techwood electric cooker.

Personal Opinion about the Product

I feel that this project has been serving me beyond my expectations. Firstly, I am a

traveler and I often go for holidays. This product makes it easy for me to cook and heat food

efficiently. Also, as a nurse I always get home very late and there are some days when I am all

tired. I use the Techwood gadget to prepare food for me and my family. I am thankful about it

and I feel that I can purchase it again. To show my satisfaction about this product, there was a

time when a friend visited me and I encouraged her to purchase the product. She has since gone
CONSUMERISM ASSIGNMENT 4

ahead and purchased the same model as mine. Possibly, in future I am going to buy an electric

cooker from the same company if I want to improve my lifestyle. Their brand has served me

well. Its portability is beyond expectation. It is also not consuming a lot of power compared to

my previous brands.

Discussion and Conclusion

By virtue of definition a consumer society is one in which the possession and usage of

increasing numbers of commodities is the chief cultural aspiration and the most perfect route to

personal satisfaction and happiness alongside natural success and social status (Godwin, 1997).

From my perspective I think that it is evident that the consumer society will most likely not make

people happier even if they have all the things that they need. I argue this because even if I

bought that new cooker, I will be tempted to purchase another one if I come across it. I also think

that easy to sustain such an economy and economic crisis are inevitable. It is also easier to notice

that there are no better ways if measuring how people feel than what they buy. The choice of a

consumer is a function that results from many consumption values, which are emotional, social,

conditional, and functional. If one is to understand consumerism these values could influence

what people buy. You will find people avoiding to buy items just because they are advertised, or

a friend has a better one than mine, or because my religion supports the use of an item even if I

don't need it as noted by Seth (1991). It is evident that consumerism is very attractive in modern

society basically because it seems to offer a purpose in life and social acceptance in a

materialistic worldview.

Nevertheless, the best alternative to consumerism is for one to redefine their character.

This means that if you want to fulfill your character you will need to cultivate your virtues.

Consumerism provides ephemeral rewards but investing in human virtues (from spiritual, ethical,
CONSUMERISM ASSIGNMENT 5

and moral dimensions) provides cumulative benefits. When looking at the element of

environment conservation one could look at how to avoid the utilitarian approach of urban

development. This approach has made people avoid real contact with nature and that makes them

continue doing things that harm nature without knowledge. For instance, throwing plastics along

the streets when driving. According to Harris (1997), people will need to change this by having

emotional and spiritual connection with nature and its beauty and that will bring a sense of being

responsible towards nature conservation and environmental protection.

References

Goodwin, N. (1997). Scope and definition. In N. R. Goodwin, F. Ackerman, & D. Kiron (Eds.),

The consumer society (pp. 1-36). Island Press

Harris, J. (1997). Consumption and the environment. In N. R. Goodwin, F. Ackerman, & D.

Kiron (Eds.), The consumer society (pp. 37-75). Island Press.

Kiron, D. (1997). Consumption in the Affluent Society. The Consumer Society, 37-75.

Sheth, J. N., Newman, B. I., & Gross, B. L. (1991). Why we buy what we buy: A theory of

consumption values. Journal of business research, 22(2), 159-170.