The High Price of Materialism

by Tim Kasser

Book Overview

A study of how materialism and consumerism undermine our quality of life.

In The High Price of Materialism, Tim Kasser offers a scientific explanation of how our contemporary culture of consumerism and materialism affects our everyday happiness and psychological health. Other writers have shown that once we have sufficient food, shelter, and clothing, further material gains do little to improve our well-being. Kasser goes beyond...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 026261197X
• ISBN13: 9780262611978
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Bradford Book
• Length: 166 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

One of the best...

I do not have much to add to what has already been said but I will give it a go. This is one of the clearest, most succinct, and well studied books on why materialism is making American's unhealthy. This book does not harp but brings 10+ years of original research to bear on the subject and leaves the reader thinking that something must be done to make changes. Check this one out as soon as possible and use it to state to your friends why buying more will not make them happy.

Are we there yet?

--I just wanted to add another five-star rating for this insightful, concise, and fascinating book. --The author currently teaches psychology at Knox College and has performed several original studies researching the effects of material-oriented values on perceived well-being and health. Several people with outstanding credentials have favorably commented on this book, and it is suited for a non-specialized reader. --The author develops several points: first, selfishly materialistic values naturally reinforce insecurity and discontent; second, such values diminish personal freedom and authenticity; third, affluence rarely (if ever) leads to much happiness or satisfaction; and fourth, materialism detracts from meaningful relationships between ourselves and others (and between ourselves and nature, and between ourselves and, well, ourselves). The author points out that materialism is not some inherent and unique evil within American culture, but seems to be a product of secondary developments (like mass marketing and advertising). --The author provides several alternatives to materialism and overconsumption, but there are no "easy fixes." On the other hand, it's not all that difficult for individuals to begin to change. -- The author neglected to point out the high social cost of materialism for the image of this country. Materialism has cost us a great deal in terms of oil wars, our financial dependence on China, and an image as a greedy and lazy group. Some of the research he uses in his bibliography are secondary sources, and several studies would seem best described as pilot studies rather than landmark research. He also fails to point out the paradox that in this cradle of materialist values, we have a unique freedom to leave our culture aside at little cost (in other words, no one is pointing a gun at our heads and telling us we need to buy stuff. We can take the responsibility to break out at any time.). He also seems somewhat oblivious to the growth of materialism among newly-rich nations like China, who seem ready to teach us a few lessons about materialism. --I would recommend this book to anyone who is curious how people think they need a couple of BMW's and a million-dollar house to be happy. It certainly made me question some of my assumptions about the relationship between material and my well-being.

Absolutely priceless

Great book. Can't say enough good things about it. Kasser breaks down materialism and the effects it has on society. It talks about its effects on one's mental and physical health, how it effects relationships and how it ultimately effects the environment. It is academic, but not so much that someone without a psychology background can't understand it. I didn't find it dry at all like one reader said it was. I was entertained and informed (what a rare combination these days.) In the final chapter he provides things inviduals and communities can do to fight back against the rampant materialism we're constantly assaulted with and how fighting it will help improve our lives, the lives of the ones we love and the world in general. Make the author happy and check the book out from a library or borrow a copy from a friend.

A must-read

Tim Kasser's subject in this book is the relationship between materialist values and psychological well-being. He and his colleagues have done a significant amount of work to identify links between materialism and a host of social evils, including the breakdown of the American family, our culture's lack of concern for the environment, and declining social consciousness. Some elements of the argument are weakened by the fact that psychologists have been studying the subject for a comparatively short time, and relevant studies are few; however, Kasser admits this failing when it is relevant, and support for the most important aspects of his theory is significant.The most interesting part of the book is the final chapter, "Making Change", which discusses strategies for changing our values. In this chapter, Kasser notes the danger in assuming capitalism and the market economy are ideal. He points to experiments in the United States and throughout the world where economies have developed which emphasize small businesses and local economies (Ithaca, NY, for example), which value each person's time equally (i.e., an hour of legal services is not valued more highly than an hour of a gardener's time), and so forth. Naturally there are barriers to some of his suggestions, but there is little hope of effecting change without adopting at least some of the strategies mentioned.All in all, this is an important book for our times. Television and mass-market culture won't save you: pick up this book!

Academic but Engaging

I have to disagree with the reader from the Canary Islands. This book is an academic account about this important topic, but is anything but dry. For anyone wondering why feelings of alienation are so pervasive in our society, this book has the answer. Kasser's final chapter on "Making Change" is a gem.