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Sentimental value and its influence on hedonic adaptation
1Marketing Department, Warrington College of Business Administration.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|October 20, 2015
Summary
Sentimental value helps people adapt less to possessions over time. This occurs because focus shifts from item features to cherished associations, preserving the item's importance.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Consumer Behavior
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Sentimental value is common but understudied.
- Its influence on hedonic adaptation is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce and define sentimental value.
- Investigate its impact on hedonic adaptation.
- Explore the underlying psychological mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 7 studies.
- Examined antecedents of sentimental value.
- Used naturally occurring and manipulated sentimental items.
- Tested moderation and mediation effects.
Main Results:
- Sentimental value hinders hedonic adaptation.
- Feature-related utility decreases over time, but sentimental value often does not.
- Sentimental value moderates the impact of utility decline on adaptation.
- Focus shifts from item features to associated meanings.
Conclusions:
- Sentimental value is a key factor in long-term attachment to possessions.
- Understanding this phenomenon has implications for individuals and consumer behavior.
- Further research can explore related psychological constructs.
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