Combat Loneliness: Invest in Experiences Over Possessions
record
Copyright Source：
Yueke
Tue, May 28, 2024
PHOTO: Yueke
A new study suggests that materialism might be exacerbating America’s loneliness and isolation epidemic. Research indicates that people who invest in experiences rather than possessions feel a stronger social connection.
Psychological experiments have shown that shared experiences, like attending a concert or a sports event, foster a greater sense of kinship compared to owning similar material items, such as shoes. Researcher Amit Kumar, an assistant professor of marketing and psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, noted, “You feel a significantly stronger sense of connectedness when you find out that you just saw the same band in concert than when you learn you have the same shoes as someone else.”
To explore how spending habits influence social belonging, Kumar and his team conducted seven experiments with over 1,400 participants. The results, published in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, reveal that experiences are more integral to personal identity than material goods.
“All of our buying habits are, to some extent, part of who we are, and they can connect us to other people,” Kumar stated in a university news release. “But that’s much more likely to be true of experiences we buy than material items we buy.”
Experiences are also less likely to incite envy. Two people sharing an experience, even if one had a superior version, will feel a stronger connection compared to those owning similar items. For instance, someone in the nosebleed section at a baseball game will feel more connected to a person in a private box at the same game than if they noticed they were wearing the same shoes.
Shared events enhance feelings of connectedness among attendees and people in general. Kumar suggests that companies should highlight the experiences associated with their products to boost social connection and customer satisfaction. “That can be important for things like customer retention and brand loyalty,” he said.
These insights underline the importance of spending on experiences to foster social bonds and enhance well-being.
Psychological experiments have shown that shared experiences, like attending a concert or a sports event, foster a greater sense of kinship compared to owning similar material items, such as shoes. Researcher Amit Kumar, an assistant professor of marketing and psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, noted, “You feel a significantly stronger sense of connectedness when you find out that you just saw the same band in concert than when you learn you have the same shoes as someone else.”
To explore how spending habits influence social belonging, Kumar and his team conducted seven experiments with over 1,400 participants. The results, published in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, reveal that experiences are more integral to personal identity than material goods.
“All of our buying habits are, to some extent, part of who we are, and they can connect us to other people,” Kumar stated in a university news release. “But that’s much more likely to be true of experiences we buy than material items we buy.”
Experiences are also less likely to incite envy. Two people sharing an experience, even if one had a superior version, will feel a stronger connection compared to those owning similar items. For instance, someone in the nosebleed section at a baseball game will feel more connected to a person in a private box at the same game than if they noticed they were wearing the same shoes.
Shared events enhance feelings of connectedness among attendees and people in general. Kumar suggests that companies should highlight the experiences associated with their products to boost social connection and customer satisfaction. “That can be important for things like customer retention and brand loyalty,” he said.
These insights underline the importance of spending on experiences to foster social bonds and enhance well-being.
Mike Tyson is on the mend after experiencing a severe ulcer flare-up during a flight from Miami to L.A. on Saturday. The incident was so intense that the airline staff requested any medical professionals onboard to assist.
About 30 minutes before landing, Tyson felt nauseous and dizzy due to the ulcer. Flight attendants called for help, and upon landing at LAX, paramedics boarded the plane to treat him on the spot, as first reported by In Touch Weekly. Tyson’s representative expressed his gratitude towards the medical staff and assured that Tyson is now doing “great.”
Most passengers were unaware that Tyson was the one in need of medical attention. The call for a doctor or nurse appeared on the in-seat screens and was later announced over the PA system. Additionally, the flight experienced a two-hour delay in taking off, unrelated to Tyson's condition, which was attributed to a mechanical issue. Upon landing, passengers waited approximately 25 minutes while paramedics attended to Tyson.
Overall, Tyson is recovering well, and his rep confirmed that he is appreciative of the assistance he received during the incident.
