Alexis Vasquez-Morgan

Prof. Malcolm Campbell

UWRT 1103
October 1, 2016
Topic Proposal: American Greed: A Look at Materialism and Increased Alienation
Introduction/Overview
Everywhere you look, advertisements bombard your view, whether they are as innocuous
as a dental office offering the best cavity treatment, or as unknowingly intriguing as a semipornographic commercial that only shows its product during the last four seconds. Our minds are
taught through media-established societal norms that we need stuff to be important, successful,

Comment [1]: Perhaps this is personal

opinion, but I don't really enjoy anecdotes at the
beginning of papers. "Everywhere you look" just
sounds a bit too stereotypical to me. What if you
entered a little more bluntly? I would start with
(this is just my example) "America has lost its
dimensionality. Modern citizens rely solely on
media-driven motives of consumerism." just
something a little more "punchy"
Comment [2]: love the intro! really got my
attention

liked, or desired. Extravagant mansions are the ultimate display of wealth and success, and this
has led to an extreme competitiveness among Americans. George Monbiot of theguardian.com
tells us that psychological researchers define materialism as a value sytem preoccupied with
possessions and the social image they project. This preoccupation leads to a sense of
competitiveness that alienates the individual through envy. Increases in alienation are often
referred to as anomie in sociological terms. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, anomie is
personal unrest, alienation, and uncertainty from a lack of purpose or ideals.

Comment [3]: maybe add quotes here?

Initially, this definition may seem not to fit with the described phenomenon, but the
acquisition of wealth and material things is not a true purpose, and believing that is it is not a

Comment [4]: ? doesn't really read well.

rewarding ideal in the same way that cultural traditions and positive relationship-based norms
are. Many smaller societal groups tend to have lower levels of anomie due to the entire group
believing in the same set of ideals, though this essay is not claiming that humans need to
conform to a hivemind in order to live peacefully. Small, homogenous groups are not the ideal

Comment [5]: I would but a period here and

just separate the two with a little rewording but
it's your choice.
Comment [6]: COOL WORD

group. However, when tied into the idea that America is a highly-individual country with
multiple differing cultures and a lack of social congruity, it makes sense that there would be
higher levels of anomie. Despite materialism being shared by all, though in different capacities,
it is an state of mind that leads to extreme competitiveness in all facets of life. So, the shared
ideal is the cause of increased social alienation through material possessions and the status
attached to them. The rise of depression and unhappiness in groups with higher anomie as a
result of materialism is linked to increased drug use. In my final essay, I will be exploring the
connection of materialism to alienation among various socioeconomic groups in America, and
what effect that has on depression, unhappiness, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Comment [7]: Very specific and very very

awesome subject. Unique and gripping, I can't
get enough of shit like this.

Initial Inquiry Questions

1. What is materialism in terms of sociology?
2. How has media contributed to American greed?
3. Can we control our desires or does media brainwash us?
4. What is the correlation between material possessions and happiness?
5. Why do more affluent groups have higher levels of anomie?
6. What IS anomie?
7. Can we reverse our greed or are we stuck in a loop?
8. How does this factor into capitalism?
9. Not a question, but think about connections to middle class meltdown and how that will
possibly collapse economy, growing divide between middle class and elites, and the
movement of money to the wealthy.
My Interest in this Topic

Comment [8]: great questions...i'd be

interested to find out the answers to them

Before coming to college, economics was something that interested me in theory, but I
actually did not know very much about any of it until listening to a podcast for our Honors
Colloquium assignment. When making connections from this podcast to discussions in my
sociology class and liberal arts class on gentrification, and listening to Donald Trumps plans to
cut taxes for his economic group, my interest further developed. I have always been curious

Comment [9]: so cool how you thought of this

topic to research!

about government conspiracies and behind-the-scenes action, and through research to find a
topic for this essay, I found connections between sociological ideas and human materialism, and
the idea that Americans are more alienated from each other than other rich societies because of
ever-increasing, media-fueled greed. Alienation is linked to anomie, and anomie is linked to
decreases in happiness and self-worth, and increases in depression. We often hear the stereotype
that the housewives living affluent lifestyles find cocaine to be their best friends outside of
shopping. Both of these give the brain temporary highs, but shopping for material things only

Comment [10]: I find the figurative language a

bit cheesy, what about 'Cocaine becomes their
primary crutch."

pleases us because we are taught that status is the key to happiness. This is something I would
definitely like to explore further.
Next Step
To increase my knowledge and write an insightful paper, I plan to study various
sociological and psychological journals, as well as my Intro to Sociology textbook. I will look at
spending data, and drug use data among various groups in our country. I plan to perhaps
interview my peers on which brands they purchase and why, and if they have ever felt

Comment [11]: Active research. I like it girl. I

like it.

inadequate about their personal belongings. I think that will lead to a lot of insight to support the
idea of anomie as a result of materialism.

Comment [12]: sounds like you have a great

plan for your research!