Materialistic beliefs amplify negative events

Materialistic beliefs amplify negative events

Focusing on materialistic values can also make our lives seem more difficult than they really are.

We start to compare our lives to the lives of wealthier people, and we begin to feel unsatisfied and depressed. Whether it’s admiring celebrities in the media, or just trying to keep up with our neighbors, we feel a need to at least be equal with the average person.

And when this standard isn’t met, we begin to think that our lives can’t possibly be as good as other people’s.

One study shows that materialistic beliefs can amplify stressful and negative events, even when they aren’t directly related to material things. According to the researcher Aric Rindfleisch from Michigan State University:

“If you’re a materialistic individual and life suddenly takes a wrong turn, you’re going to have a tougher time recovering from that setback than someone who is less materialistic. The research is novel in that an event that’s unrelated to materialism will have a stronger impact on someone because of their materialistic values. In other words, materialism has a multiplier effect. It’s a finding that I think is especially interesting given our consumer-driven economy.”

For one reason or another, having a very materialistic attitude makes us less likely to bounce back from life’s obstacles and challenges. Perhaps because we underestimate the importance of a strong mind or a meaningful life beyond material things.