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Discussion
1. What are the effects of materialism?
Envy has been defined by Schoeck (1996) as displeasure and ill will at the
superiority of [another person] in happiness, success, reputation, or the
possession of anything desirable. Envy is having desire for others property. The
tendency of an envious person is to begrudge those who own the desired property.
(Belk 1984b)
Kahn et al (1994 p.19) defined role conflict as simultaneous occurrence of two or
more sets of pressures such that compliance with one would make more difficult
compliance with the other.The role conflict theory argued that, the reason why a
person experiences struggle between multiple roles is because of incompatibilities
between them. To some extent, strong desire for extrinsic rewards are
incompatible with performing non-work roles and occurs because of materialism
that causes role conflict due to behavior and choices.
People who have high materialistic values, turned out to be more sensitive with
public self-consciousness, placing a great significance when it comes to the
opinions of others. (Schroeder &Dugal 1995; Sirgy 1998).According to Kasser
(2002) having this kind of concern will effect to more negative comparison that
positive ones and will further result in failing to fulfill competence needs and
having a low self-esteem.
According to Philosophy, the effects of materialism are sins and it is similar to
brainwashing. God gave us a free will to choose on our own. The
scripturesRomans 6:23 it says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

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Berger (1972) pictures out advertising is an attempt to make people conscious to
the self they might become when they own the product that is advertised.
Advertising causes eduction of awareness of ones social status relates status
association with possessing and exploiting properties. (Goffman 1951)
2. How does materialism alienates us from the real self?
In Marxs Theory, the idea of materialism is the study of the real and economic
social life of man and of the influence of mans actual way of life on this thinking
and feeling. (p.9). Thinking and philosophy of human beings is a reflection of
their life activities. Marx further said that human beings are social and cannot live
without building relationships with the people around them.
People who own luxury goods are trying to demonstrate that they are better
compared with their peers. These luxury goods might also cause consumers to be
happier because they believe that these products will increase or level up their
social status. (Clark et al. 2007; Dittmar 2008; Eastman et al. 1999; Mandel et al.
2006).
George Monbiot (n.d.) found on a research that, individuals who were susceptible
to luxury items, consider them as consumers instead of citizens. Those people also
became more competitive and selfish, have a decreased sense of responsibility
and les interested in joining social activities. If people are easily influenced by the
advertisements in televisions, these things could be triggered more or less
continuously.
If material desires are achieved, the tendency of materialistic ambition is to level
up into new kinds of aspirations that will only bring them to the state of
deprivation and dissatisfaction again and again. The tendency again for the

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materialistic individuals will see themselves as overloaded with their work,
having insufficient time to finish it. (Michalos 1985; Solberg, Diener, &
Robinson, 2004).
According to Deci and Ryan (1985), Cognitive Evaluation Theory came out with
a subtheory within Self Determination Theory that has a goal on being specific on
factors that explain variability in intrinsic motivation. The focus of Cognitive
Evaluation Theory is the primary needs for competence and autonomy.
3. How could we not be materialistic?
People can only escape from materialistic desires, when they choose to change
their belief that material things bring happiness and start looking carefully to the
idea itself. When an individual continuously seek material properties, he tend to
be dependent in acquiring all the desired wealth and goods. They will only find
their selves more selfish than ever and it seem that it will never stop unless they
chose to put an end on it. (Materialism breeds happiness)
Scott H. Young (n.d.). cited ways on how to reduce materialism. First is to build
intangible assets, because it substitutes the needs for physical one. Second is to go
basic, because simplifying our lifestyle enables us to focus more on our inner self.
Lastly is serving others. Investing to help other people specially the less fortunate
ones, shifts our focus to materials and replaces the urge to be materialistic.
Based on few research, definitions of financial literacy falls into five categories:
Knowledge of financial concepts, Communicating about financial concepts,
Managing Personal Finances, Making appropriate financial decisions and
Planning for future financial needs. While Self Determination Theory states that

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financial literacy education has a higher possibility in reducing materialism and
creating psychological health and life satisfaction.
Gratitude is defined by Emmons (2004) as the recognition and appreciation of
an altruistic gift. This is the reason why Polak and McCollough concluded that,
gratitude lessen the negative results of an individuals materialistic desires on
psychological well-being.
Belk (1983) defined possessiveness as the inclination and tendency to retain
control or ownership of ones possession. One way of reducing possessiveness
is being contented with what you have. Elizabeth Browning (2008) said that she
was unhappy because she was not contented with she has. Later, she realized that
it has something to do with her outlook in life.