The Negative and Positive of Material/Economic Self to Humanity

Opening Statement
In relation to the self, what makes material things being valuable? How does an individual
possess a particular thing at some point that might affect his or her personality? The focal point of
this topic is on understanding values in the context of material/economic self, one will discuss on
how an individual acquires good by considering different factors that will help the individual to
shape his or her decisions economically, while, on the other hand, is a discussion of its negativity
in materialism. In this case, we can finalize the effects of material/economic self to humanity.
IIa: Review Related Literature
According to Tuan (1980), our fragile sense of self needs supports and this we get by
having and possessing things because, to a large degree, we are what we have. Moreover, Belk
(1988) uses this notion to suggest that possessions help adolescents and adults to manage their
identities and to create or maintain a sense of self. Indeed, Wong (2011) sees materialism as
bolstering self-related needs, such as belonging, distinctiveness, efficacy, a meaningful existence
and self-esteem.
IIb: Analysis
Whereas, the different perspectives of researchers contend that in an attempt to boost self-
esteem, people may pursue materialistic goals. Thus, they believe that material acquisitions and
possessions may rendered social attractiveness or the pursuit to make an individual belong to the
society. Therefore, having a material self leads to positivity sometimes as material possessions
valued in continuing self-cultivation.
IIIa: Review Related Literature
On the other hand, we all know, people live for survival every day. The difference between
need and wants may vary depending on the subjective necessity and reason. Thus, individuals
who pursue material wealth have personal striving for power (desires to impress, control and
manipulate others). According to Richins (2004), unreasonable high goals and expectations
materialistically leads to evaluating own self by standard of living unfairly or poorly. Whereas, it
decreased material well-being (which turn to unhappiness or un-satisfaction in standard living of
self.
IIIb: Analysis
Withal, the citation above discussed that materialism’s association with self-centredness,
greed, envy, miserliness can lead to negative outcomes such as lower self-actualization,
unhappiness, and dissatisfaction. This idea suggests that material-self, aside from contributing to
how an individual identity himself/herself, also signify relationships of people with others based on
what they possess.
General Conclusion
Therefore, this discussion concluded that material/economic self shows humans are
naturally feel a sense of insecurity and inferiority which things appear to be one of the bases of
personality to human. Therefore, assessing to balance the possessions of material-self can lessen
the widespread concern of materialism with too much exposing to shame and doubt in self.
Closing Statement
In conclusion, humans are the consumer of this possessions of material/economic-self
which intrinsically woven into the modern in this generation of technology. Society impacts human
personality, the atmosphere and relation on it sometimes relies one’s identity which makes an
individual be distinguished for ‘what he has is what he is’ that misleads to life intrusions. Therefore,
we must avoid the trap of being chained with someone standards. Live who you are and do what
you want that can excel your self-identity. Just like in businesses motto consume less, save more.
 References
Belk, 1988. Possessions and the Extended Self. Journal Consumer Research
Richins, 2004. The Positive and Negative Consequences of Materialism: What are they and
When They Do They Occur? Advances in Consumer Research.
Tuan, 1980. The Significance of the Artifact. Geographical Review.
Wong, 2011. Rethinking Materialism: A Process View and Some Transformative Consumer
Research Implications.