The High Price of Materialism

by Tim Kasser

$23.95

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Author: Tim Kasser

Publisher: A Bradford Book

Paperback:
ISBN 10: 026261197X
ISBN 13: 978-0262611978

Hardcover:
ISBN 10: 026211268X
ISBN 13: 978-0262112680

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 these findings to investigate how people's materialistic desires relate to their well-being. He shows that people whose values center on the accumulation of wealth or material possessions face a greater risk of unhappiness, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and problems with intimacy―regardless of age, income, or culture.

Drawing on a decade's worth of empirical data, Kasser examines what happens when we organize our lives around materialistic pursuits. He looks at the effects on our internal experience and interpersonal relationships, as well as on our communities and the world at large. He shows that materialistic values actually undermine our well-being, as they perpetuate feelings of insecurity, weaken the ties that bind us, and make us feel less free. Kasser not only defines the problem but proposes ways we can change ourselves, our families, and society to become less materialistic.

Review

--Juliet Schor, Professor of Sociology, Boston College; author of "The Overworked American"

--Amitai Etzioni, University Professor, George Washington University and author of "The Monochrome Society"

" Kasser powerfully argues that when we feel more vulnerable, we exhibit more sharply defined materialistic tendencies" -- pwforecasts, "Publishers Weekly"

" An excellent, thorough, insightful examination of object hedonism and its psychological costs. Well-written to boot." --Amitai Etzioni, University Professor, George Washington University and author of "The Monochrome Society"

" Does money buy happiness? For years, social scientists knew relatively little about this important question. Now that has changed. On the basis of more than a decade's worth of original research, Tim Kasser provides a powerful answer--materialism undermines human well-being. "The High Price of Materialism" is a path-breaking work that suggests a fundamental rethinking of our values, behaviors, and economic structures. Deserves the widest possible readership." --Juliet Schor, Professor of Sociology, Boston College; author of "The Overworked American"

& quot; Kasser powerfully argues that when we feel more vulnerable, we exhibit more sharply defined materialistic tendencies& quot; -- pwforecasts, Publishers Weekly

& quot; An excellent, thorough, insightful examination of object hedonism and its psychological costs. Well-written to boot.& quot; -- Amitai Etzioni, University Professor, George Washington University and author of The Monochrome Society

& quot; Does money buy happiness? For years, social scientists knew relatively little about this important question. Now that has changed. On the basis of more than a decade's worth of original research, Tim Kasser provides a powerful answer--materialism undermines human well-being. The High Price of Materialism is a path-breaking work that suggests a fundamental rethinking of our values, behaviors, and economic structures. Deserves the widest possible readership.& quot; -- Juliet Schor, Professor of Sociology, Boston College; author of The Overworked American

"Kasser powerfully argues that when we feel more vulnerable, we exhibit more sharply defined materialistic tendencies"-- pwforecasts, ""Publishers Weekly""

"Does money buy happiness? For years, social scientists knew relatively little about this important question. Now that has changed. On the basis of more than a decade's worth of original research, Tim Kasser provides a powerful answer--materialism undermines human well-being. "The High Price of Materialism" is a path-breaking work that suggests a fundamental rethinking of our values, behaviors, and economic structures. Deserves the widest possible readership."--Juliet Schor, Professor of Sociology, Boston College; author of "The Overworked American"

Review

A valuable critique of material culture, with facts and surveys making the case that the true source of happiness comes from non-material pleasures.

―Betsy Taylor, President, New American Dream and author of Sustainable Planet

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