Psychological Effects Of Materialism And Work On Happiness By Matt Brundage

What is being happy actually like? With the money, school, work, friends, family, etc. issues, how is it possible to become fully happy if there is always something that could be interfering with it? We live in America that promises us to to be all equal and can experience the “life, liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” But every news show that’s turned on, we hear about a 13 year old “entertaining” child who’s trending on every social media network about her disrespecting her mother more often than the issue on two American adults making terrorist threats and waving a confederate flag at a black child’s birthday party. We Americans get the free education until we graduate to find out that we actually don’t know what

Growing up in a family where both my parents came from poor immigrant backgrounds always made financial success a priority and when there was no need to be frugal, my parents did seem happier. But did money buy my parents’ happiness or did money lead to their happiness? Ed Diener and Robert Biswas-Diener attempt to answer that question in their excerpt “Can Money Buy Happiness,” where they claim that “[m]oney can be a help in attaining psychological wealth, but it should be considered in the bigger picture of what makes people general genuinely rich (Biswas-Diener 161). Although not explicitly defined by Diener and Biswas-Diener, “psychological wealth” is the overall measure of happiness, beyond just fiscal affluence, including positive ties with other individuals and joyful temperaments (Biswas-Diener 168). By extending Biswas-Diener and Diener’s idea of “psychological wealth” to include the perception of what wealth is and what wealth consists of beyond monetary success, such as achievements or fulfillment, there exist a copious number of ways to view wealth. One can be rich in more than finances and happiness is dependent upon the perception of wealth due to money being one of several paths, including deliberate effort and being positive, to “psychological wealth” which leads to happiness.

The “American Dream” is based on the fundamental idea that one’s social status, and ultimately their happiness, is deeply rooted in their financial success and the material items they possess. It is often believed that mass consumerism has become an indicator of one’s ability to participate as an elite member of society and ultimately complete the pursuit of happiness. However, groups also object these views of happiness and suggest that happiness is based on far more than material items. One’s perception on the correlation of materialism and the pursuit of happiness is dependent on an individual's experience as a consumer.

People constantly have the desire to want more and often believe that by fulfilling those desires, it will increase their happiness. One problem is, people do not just live with simplicity in their lives, which is a direct reflection of their environment and societal factors that influence these continuous desires. Happiness is a very pertinent goal for people to reach. Today’s society has the misconception of happiness as being blinded by monetary and materialistic gains such as wealth, power, social media, and success. The “Mental Health Foundation's survey illustrating that 76 per cent of respondents think society is becoming more materialistic and selfish” (Buggey). Many people contemplate on whether or not it is even possible for individuals to attain happiness, which has driven researchers to neglect to study happiness because some believe that we would be better off by simply accepting our current happiness. However, we believe another reason for this neglect is the pessimistic view “over whether it is even possible to achieve sustainable increases in happiness” (Sheldon, K. & Lyubomirsky, S. (2006). With several different aspects of if happiness is even achievable, there are still individuals who believe there are.

In his article The Funds, Friends, and Faith of Happy People David G. Myers analyzes results of different surveys and researches in attempt to answer the question: “does money make people happier?” The conclusion suggests they do not. While many people have an opposite opinion, facts show the correlation between money and happiness weakens with the increase of income.

In today’s materialistic world, the phrase that ‘money can’t buy happiness’ is tending to be proved hence otherwise. Social research and surveys have shown results based on an individuals income, health and the political scenario which is dominant in his or her region. It is quite obvious that the gap between the privileged and the not so is growing into a great divide giving rise to different class and status, thus defining ones social circle. It should therefore be understood how an individuals economic status affects their personal happiness throughout all aspects of life. Many tend to refer to this age-old quote especially when they tend to belong to sector of people who can’t afford the modern day luxuries of life. What they do not

One may say that money can buy happiness through great inventions and endless greeds. Dropping a ton of cash on something extravagant doesn’t give it the special feeling after a while due to the fact that they’re so used to having it around and that it becomes just another object. A better use of money that generally creates more happiness is “spending their money on experiences [rather] than on stuff” (Gillespie). Spending it on a new phone or TV leads to activities that are done more lonesome such as watching videos or playing solitary games. Buying moments or “experiences that make you happier before they even happen” are more valuable than mere possessions (Gillespie). In fact, the day before the event of going out or for a vacation is the happiest for many rather than the actual event itself.

Today, people focus only on how much. Success is not seen as happiness; it is shown solely by how much money one makes. This belief is the inverse of what Emerson and Thoreau believed in. Their predictions about what society would be like, in a materialistic world, are spot on. See that people today are programmed to practice materialism, it creates a very competitive society. There is a smaller emphasises on moral values and a strong emphasis on materialistic values. With this comes negative effects

Happiness is a component of psychology that many people don’t understand. When it comes to happiness some people think it’s materialistic and some people believe that it's a state of mind that no object can help you reach. Both perspectives are reasonable because there are rich people that are happy, but at the same time there are broke

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness? Today, the argument can be made that happiness and consumerism are directly linked. It is fair to say that happiness is a relative term for different people. However, the obtaining of new and shiny things has become such a part of everyday life, that it provides happiness when people are purchasing something new, and causes sadness when no buying is taking place. For many, it seems to be a protective coating against the harsh realities of everyday stresses from a job, or family life.

When you hear the word happiness, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Do you think of material possessions like designer clothes and accessories, the newest iPhone with the highest possible storage capacity, or a shiny red supercar? Do you think the amount of money you have or your current financial status has an effect on how happy you are? Plenty of college students, myself included, would associate happiness with possessing items like these or just having a lot of money in general. In today’s society, one common belief about social class is that the richer and more money or things that one has, the happier this will make them. This belief is reinforced by countless advertisements we see and hear everywhere, whether that be on

The human characteristics of greed and materialism are a disguise that provide an ephemeral distraction, which over time, creates dissatisfaction. If asked what a person’s overarching life’s objective is, most would answer to be happy and loved. Yet, the misconception that happiness and money are interchangeable is still widely felt.

What brings us happiness, people or materialistic objects? In, “Too much of Nothing,” Charlie Creekmore states that most Americans believe wealth brings happiness meaning happiness can be bought. Though he exaggerates to make his point, I do agree with his notion. I have met too many individuals that value wealth and materialistic objects and believe that they will find happiness in that. My friend’s roommate, Shanice, my grandmother, and my mom’s co-worker, Theresa, are some of the few that believe that happiness can be bought.

Money and happiness are linked positivity in the psychology of many cultures and in the economy as well, yet money can be observed playing a sociological role in the ebb and flow of happiness in society. When contrasting the benefits of a dream career against a path to a more attainable means to financial safety, often individuals cognitively associate happiness with money. Does money create happiness or does it at least create a path to happiness? In the book, “Happiness around the World: The Paradox of Happy Peasants and Miserable Millionaires,” Carol Graham confronts this issue. She admits:

A powerful quote said by pre-socratic philosopher named Democritus says “Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul”. In other words, happiness does not come from materialism but instead from the things money can’t buy. In the article The Secret of Happiness the author David Myers writes directly to Americans about how he believes we need to obtain a new “American Dream” that emphasizes personal happiness instead of materialistic happiness. Myers also believes happiness resides in the soul and he says people that think money is the key to happiness are actually less content with themselves and he uses various ways to prove this point. With that being said materialistic happiness vs personal happiness is an important issue, and Myers made a strong use of Logos by showing surveys and studies, Ethos by showing credibility in his argument but he could have used more Pathos by using more emotion and enthusiasm in his argument.