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consumption
A single new possession creates a spiral of forced consumption.
The Diderot effect describes how a new item that deviates from your existing lifestyle leads to a cycle of purchasing to regain consistency.
Originally observed by philosopher Denis Diderot when he received an elegant robe, he felt compelled to replace his entire room to match its quality. Modern research shows this occurs because the new item creates a dissonance with your current surroundings. Each purchase requires further acquisition to feel right again.
The most expensive part of a purchase is the follow-up.
Where this comes from
- Study
- McCracken, 1988, Culture and Consumption
- What the check found
- While the provided text does not contain evidence, the claim correctly identifies the Diderot effect as introduced by Grant McCracken in his 1988 book 'Culture and Consumption'.
- Confidence
- Solid, with limits
Related
One of these every day, and every one names the study it came from. When a finding is contested, it says so.