Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Traits, Mood, and Subjective Wellbeing01:22

Traits, Mood, and Subjective Wellbeing

139
Subjective well-being (SWB) refers to an individual's self-evaluation of their overall life satisfaction, happiness, and fulfillment. This multifaceted construct is typically assessed by analyzing the balance of positive and negative emotions alongside perceptions of life satisfaction. Personality traits such as neuroticism and extraversion are strongly associated with variations in SWB, offering critical insights into the underlying mechanisms of emotional well-being.
Neuroticism and...
139
Social Relationships and Well-Being01:30

Social Relationships and Well-Being

15
The significance of social relationships in psychological well-being is a well-established area of inquiry within social psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of meaningful, supportive relationships enhances emotional health, while the absence or deterioration of such connections can contribute to psychological distress. Relationships serve as a foundation for emotional support, identity, and social belonging, all of which are critical to an individual’s overall...
15
Importance of Need for Affiliation01:25

Importance of Need for Affiliation

9
The need for affiliation is a fundamental human motive that drives individuals to form and maintain interpersonal relationships. This universal drive varies in intensity among individuals due to genetic predispositions and life experiences, shaping it into a relatively stable personality trait. Social inclusion enhances emotional well-being by fulfilling the need for affiliation, whereas social exclusion leads to distress, negative emotions, and cognitive impairments.Psychological and Emotional...
9
Close Relationships and Culture01:29

Close Relationships and Culture

15
Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...
15
Need for Self-Esteem01:27

Need for Self-Esteem

8
The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...
8
Benefits of Self-Esteem01:25

Benefits of Self-Esteem

5
Self-esteem—an individual's overall evaluation of their worth—plays a complex role in psychological functioning and well-being. It is often associated with many positive traits, such as confidence, optimism, and perseverance. Individuals with high self-esteem typically experience better sleep, manage peer pressure more effectively, and report greater life satisfaction. Conversely, low self-esteem has been consistently linked with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and poor...
5

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Wellbeing, nature connection and vaccine attitudes: A convergent mixed methods study in Wim Hof Method practitioners.

PLOS mental health·2026
Same author

Nature-based interventions for individual, collective and planetary wellbeing: A protocol for a scoping review.

PloS one·2025
Same author

Green healing: Ecotherapy as a transformative model of health and social care.

Current opinion in psychology·2025
Same author

Ambient air pollution and birth outcomes: a scoping review to investigate the mediating and moderating variables-protocol.

BMJ open·2025
Same author

Psychedelics as a tool for a more connected and sustainable world? Considering the importance of rituals, boundaries, and commitment.

The International journal on drug policy·2024
Same author

Nurturing wellbeing amidst the climate crisis: on the need for a focus on wellbeing in the field of climate psychology.

Frontiers in psychology·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
12:09

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Published on: March 19, 2014

23.8K

Materialistic value orientation and wellbeing.

Helga Dittmar1, Amy Isham2

  • 1School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9QH, UK.

Current Opinion in Psychology
|April 3, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Striving for material possessions, known as materialistic value orientation (MVO), paradoxically harms personal wellbeing. This research highlights the negative impact of MVO across life and suggests interventions to foster healthier relationships with possessions.

Keywords:
EnvironmentMaterialismMaterialistic Value OrientationWellbeing

More Related Videos

Using a Virtual Store As a Research Tool to Investigate Consumer In-store Behavior
09:17

Using a Virtual Store As a Research Tool to Investigate Consumer In-store Behavior

Published on: July 24, 2017

11.5K
Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature
05:33

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature

Published on: June 19, 2019

8.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
12:09

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Published on: March 19, 2014

23.8K
Using a Virtual Store As a Research Tool to Investigate Consumer In-store Behavior
09:17

Using a Virtual Store As a Research Tool to Investigate Consumer In-store Behavior

Published on: July 24, 2017

11.5K
Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature
05:33

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature

Published on: June 19, 2019

8.6K

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Consumer Behavior

Background:

  • Materialistic Value Orientation (MVO) is the belief that acquiring wealth and possessions enhances wellbeing and social status.
  • Paradoxically, the pursuit of MVO often leads to diminished quality of life and reduced wellbeing.
  • Existing research indicates a link between MVO and poorer wellbeing across personal, social, and environmental domains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document the multifaceted negative associations between Materialistic Value Orientation (MVO) and wellbeing.
  • To explore the complexity of the MVO-wellbeing relationship, including moderating factors and bidirectionality.
  • To provide evidence supporting interventions aimed at reducing MVO and promoting healthier attitudes towards material possessions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing empirical studies on Materialistic Value Orientation (MVO) and wellbeing.
  • Analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data examining the relationship between MVO and various wellbeing facets.
  • Investigation of personal and cultural moderators influencing the MVO-wellbeing link.

Main Results:

  • Materialistic Value Orientation (MVO) is consistently linked to poorer personal, social, and environmental wellbeing across the lifespan.
  • The negative impact of MVO on wellbeing is moderated by individual and cultural factors, indicating a complex relationship.
  • Evidence suggests a bidirectional link between MVO and wellbeing, where lower wellbeing may also fuel materialism.

Conclusions:

  • The pursuit of material possessions (MVO) predominantly undermines overall wellbeing, contrary to popular belief.
  • Understanding the complex and bidirectional nature of the MVO-wellbeing link is crucial for developing effective interventions.
  • Interventions should focus on reducing MVO and fostering a healthier relationship with material goods to enhance quality of life.