Question 1

Conspicuous consumption, leisure, and waste are mutually exclusive categories.

Accepted Answer

Conspicuous consumption, leisure, and waste are not necessarily mutually exclusive categories. For example, someone may engage in conspicuous consumption by purchasing a luxury item and also engage in leisure activities, such as taking a vacation. However, waste is often associated with conspicuous consumption, as the excessive consumption of goods and resources can lead to unnecessary waste.

Question 2

Every good or material object has a hau.

Accepted Answer

The concept of "hau" is specific to certain cultural beliefs, particularly in Maori culture, and is not universally applied to all objects or goods.

Question 3

Technological innovations have reduced the U.S. workweek. U.S. employees work fewer hours today than their counterparts did in the 1960s.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Technological innovations have reduced the U.S. workweek....

Question 4

Despite technological innovation, U.S. workers work more hours per week today than their counterparts did in the 1960s.

Accepted Answer

According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), U.S. workers work an average of 38.6 hours per week, which is more than in the 1960s when the average was around 36.4 hours per week.

Question 5

Each year since 1957 Americans report that they are happier than in the previous year as a result of continued economic growth.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. While economic growth may contribute to overall happiness, studies have shown that there is not a direct correlation between economic growth and individual happiness. Other factors such as social support, personal relationships, and overall life satisfaction also play a significant role in overall happiness levels. In addition, there have been years where economic growth has not led to increased happiness, such as during times of economic recession or financial hardship.

Question 6

The time saving tools used by workers caught in the cycle of work-and-spend often have environmental repercussions.

Accepted Answer

Many time-saving tools, such as cars, electronic devices, and single-use plastics, have negative environmental impacts such as increased carbon emissions, e-waste, and pollution.

Question 7

Consumption is not necessary for community, but neither is it antithetical to it.

Accepted Answer

Consumption refers to the act of using or buying goods and services. While community can exist without consumption, it can also coexist with it. Consumption can facilitate the exchange of goods and services within a community, as well as provide opportunities for social interactions and shared experiences. However, excessive consumption or consumerism can lead to negative impacts on the environment and society, which can in turn harm the community. Overall, consumption is not inherently necessary or incompatible with community.

Question 8

Thorstein Veblen argues that the leisure class engages in vicarious consumption, leisure and waste.

Accepted Answer

Thorstein Veblen's theory of conspicuous consumption and the leisure class suggests that the wealthy demonstrate their status and power through wasteful and unnecessary spending, such as conspicuous leisure and conspicuous consumption of goods and services. This is known as vicarious consumption, as it is not necessarily driven by personal desire or need, but rather by societal expectations and norms. The leisure class also tends to waste resources in order to demonstrate their abundance and power.

Question 9

Conspicuous consumption, leisure and waste is that which is engaged in based on individuals' environmental power.

Accepted Answer

Conspicuous consumption, leisure and waste is not engaged based on individuals' environmental power, but rather on their social status and desire to display wealth and expendable income.

Question 10

What did Maslow mean by a "hierarchy of needs?" Describe Maslow's model?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What did Maslow mean by a "hierarchy...

Question 11

Describe a situation that would refute Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory.?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe a situation that would refute Maslow's...

Question 12

Paul Wachtel contends that we try to "buy community." What does he mean by this? What motivates us to do so?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Paul Wachtel contends that we try to...

Question 13

The author argues that advertising often appeals to sentiments. How is this connected to vicarious consumption?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The author argues that advertising often appeals...

Question 14

Juliet Schor argues that Americans are trapped in a cycle of work-and-spend. Explain what she means by this, with examples.?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Juliet Schor argues that Americans are trapped...

Question 15

Describe how the treadmill of consumption works, with examples?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how the treadmill of consumption works,...

Question 16

It is clear that we in the West consume far more material goods than we need physiologically. Based on your readings and material presented in lecture, explain why our wants so drastically exceed our needs. Also, what are some changes that could be made to bring our wants more in line with our needs?

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is clear that we in the...

Question 17

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text with its complement or correspondent , by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in the space provided. (You may use answers more than once.)
-____ Abraham Maslow

Accepted Answer

Abraham Maslow is the thinker who developed the Hierarchy of Needs, a theory of human motivation.

Answer: H
 Thorstein Veblen is the thinker who developed the concept of the Leisure class and Conspicuous consumption, which refers to the practice of spending money ostentatiously to display social status.

Answer: G
 Marshall Sahlins developed the concept of Hau, which refers to a gift exchange system used in some Pacific island cultures.

Answer: I
 Mahatma Gandhi was a political and spiritual leader who developed a philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which he used to help India gain independence from British colonial rule.

Answer: F
 The Treadmill of Consumption is a concept that critiques the modern economic system, arguing that it encourages individuals to consume more and more goods and services in a never-ending cycle.

Possible additional answer:
Answer: D
 Vicarious consumption refers to the idea that individuals can "consume" goods and services indirectly, through watching others consume them (e.g. through advertising, social media, etc.).

Answer: E
 Positional goods are goods that are valued not just for their inherent usefulness, but also for the social status and prestige that they convey to the person who possesses them.

Question 18

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text with its complement or correspondent , by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in the space provided. (You may use answers more than once.)
-____ Thorstein Veblen

Accepted Answer

The answer of Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or...

Question 19

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text with its complement or correspondent , by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in the space provided. (You may use answers more than once.)
-____ Thorstein Veblen

Accepted Answer

The answer of Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or...

Question 20

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text with its complement or correspondent , by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in the space provided. (You may use answers more than once.)
-____ Thorstein Veblen

Accepted Answer

The answer of Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or...

Quiz 2: Consumption and Materialism

Conspicuous consumption, leisure, and waste are mutually exclusive categories.

Every good or material object has a hau.

Technological innovations have reduced the U.S. workweek. U.S. employees work fewer hours today than their counterparts did in the 1960s.

Despite technological innovation, U.S. workers work more hours per week today than their counterparts did in the 1960s.

Each year since 1957 Americans report that they are happier than in the previous year as a result of continued economic growth.

The time saving tools used by workers caught in the cycle of work-and-spend often have environmental repercussions.

Consumption is not necessary for community, but neither is it antithetical to it.

Thorstein Veblen argues that the leisure class engages in vicarious consumption, leisure and waste.

Conspicuous consumption, leisure and waste is that which is engaged in based on individuals' environmental power.

What did Maslow mean by a "hierarchy of needs?" Describe Maslow's model?

Describe a situation that would refute Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory.?

Paul Wachtel contends that we try to "buy community." What does he mean by this? What motivates us to do so?

The author argues that advertising often appeals to sentiments. How is this connected to vicarious consumption?

Juliet Schor argues that Americans are trapped in a cycle of work-and-spend. Explain what she means by this, with examples.?

Describe how the treadmill of consumption works, with examples?

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text with its complement or correspondent , by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in the space provided. (You may use answers more than once.) -____ Abraham Maslow

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text with its complement or correspondent , by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in the space provided. (You may use answers more than once.) -____ Thorstein Veblen

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text with its complement or correspondent , by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in the space provided. (You may use answers more than once.) -____ Thorstein Veblen

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text with its complement or correspondent , by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in the space provided. (You may use answers more than once.) -____ Thorstein Veblen