So, I think this subject might hit home for quite a few people, myself included. I am particularly interested in the addiction aspect of being a shopaholic and the behaviors of compulsive shoppers/spenders. I would like to explore this topic on a deeper level and find out what it is that makes people feel so good when they go shopping and buy things, and why it is they can't stop. I have come across several interesting facts when doing some topical research on this subject. Shopping addictions have been compared to gambling and drinking addictions and has become sort of a therapy for millions of people. I would like to dig deeper into the saying "Retail Therapy" to see if this actually holds true. Is it simply that it is a way to get away from it all? Does it act a therapy, and if so, is it cheaper than visiting a therapist? Or is this truly an addiction that should be taken seriously? These are some of the angles I plan to explore with this subject. I have listed below a few web sites that were pretty interesting as well as quotes and interesting parts of the articles I found at the sites.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/health/28shopping.html?_r=1&ref=health
- "Ill-advised shopping has certainly turned up recently in the news, and yet the issue also forms the core of a much more contentious and continuing debate. As spenders spend while the economy plummets, the psychiatric world is trying to decide whether compulsive buying should actually be considered a disease."
- "At least for now, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -- which is known as the D.S.M. and is something like the bible of psychological maladies -- does not list the condition as a technical disease. While shopaholism, as the laymen say, has been recognized by the German psychiatric community as a subset of obsessive-compulsive disorder, it still awaits its day in the United States."
- Why does it happen?
"Shopaholism - or oniomania as it's called by psychiatrists - is driven by the same kind of motivation that fuels alcoholism or drug use. A woman feels bad - anxious, lonely, worthless, angry or lacking love. So she goes out and buys things - not only to give herself love, but also to prove to the world at large that she's 'worth it'.
That's a pretty unique topic. I'm sure it'll be very interesting.
ReplyDeleteDear Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteBeing a shopaholic seems to be on the rise! A few years ago I had never heard of it. When I was single and bored I used to go shopping everyday. Having something new always made me feel good even though I sometimes would never use what I bought! It was right after my family had made a big move across the country and I had stayed behind. I fortunately never suffered from being addicted to shopping but I can understand how some people can get that way. I wonder if there is an incident that triggers people to become compulsive shoppers much like alcoholism and compulsive eating. I look forward to reading your paper! Good luck!
Jade Simms
This does hit home; I used to be such a good money saver, but now whenever I get my pay check it seems like it's always burning a hole in my pocket! I am not addicted, but I am sure many people can relate to shopoholics. I really like the idea of integrating pyschology into this and I am sure it would make for a great paper!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteYes! I can say for myself that shopping is a form of therapy. A force of empowerment with whichever you choose to buy. A thin line that many people cross easily; resulting in endless retail debt. It's important to have some self control and know where to draw the line. Great start!
-Alexus Smoak
You might take a look into the idea that you feel better about yourself after buying things because that's what society has suggested to you for pretty much your whole life. Whether it be politicians talking about stimulating the economy, companies promising to donate money to charity when you buy their products, or just even the things that advertising suggests to you. (if you drink bud light, hot girls will like you; you are too fat and should take diet pills; you'll be more attractive after laser eye surgery)
ReplyDeleteOur whole society is pretty much based on everyone buying a bunch of things all the time, and making people feel good about themselves when they do so is definitely a contributing factor.