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{{Anti-consumerism}} {{Short description|Socio-psychological effects of consumerism}}
{{For|diseases correlating with affluence|Diseases of affluence}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Anti-consumerism|Ideas}}


'''Affluenza''' describes the psychological and social effects of affluence. It is a ] of '']'' and '']'', and is used most commonly by critics of ]. Some psychologists consider it to be a pseudo-scientific term,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Ferguson|first=Christopher J.|date=2013-12-14|title=Psychologist: "Affluenza" is Junk Science|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=https://ideas.time.com/2013/12/14/psychologist-affluenza-is-junk-science/|access-date=2022-01-03|issn=0040-781X}}</ref> however the word continues to be used in scientific literature.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Flurry |first=Laura Ann |last2=Swimberghe |first2=Krist R. |date=2021-01-01 |title=The affluenza epidemic: consequences of parent-child value congruence in a material world |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JCM-04-2019-3159/full/html |journal=Journal of Consumer Marketing |volume=38 |issue=2 |pages=201–210 |doi=10.1108/JCM-04-2019-3159 |issn=0736-3761}}</ref>
'''Affluenza''', a ] of the words '']'' and '']'', is a term used by critics of ] and ]. Sources define this term as follows:
:'''affluenza,''' n. a painful, ], socially transmitted condition of overload, ], ] and ] resulting from the dogged pursuit of more. (de Graaf <ref name="de Graaf">'']'', John de Graaf, David Wann & ], ISBN 1-57675-199-6</ref>)


== History ==
:'''affluenza,''' n. 1. The bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to ]. 2. An epidemic of ], ], waste and indebtedness caused by the pursuit of the ]. 3. An unsustainable ] to economic growth. (PBS )


The word is thought to have been first used in 1906,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kershaw |first=Sarah |date=2016-01-04 |title=Affluenza: a plague on both their houses, their cars and their yacht |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/04/affluenza-history-disease-wealth-privilege-ethan-couch |access-date=2024-08-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> but was popularized in 1997 with a ] documentary of the same name<ref>, KCTS</ref> and the subsequent book '']'' (2001, revised in 2005, 2014). These works define affluenza as "a painful, ], socially transmitted condition of overload, ], ], and ] resulting from the dogged pursuit of more". A more informal definition of the term would describe it as "a quasi-illness caused by guilt for one's own socio-economic superiority".<ref name="de Graaf">'']'', John de Graaf, David Wann & ], 2001 {{ISBN|1-57675-199-6}}</ref> The term "affluenza" has also been used to refer to an inability to understand the consequences of one's actions because of financial privilege.
Proponents of the term consider that the prizing of endless increases in material wealth may lead to feelings of worthlessness and dissatisfaction rather than experiences of a 'better life', and that these symptoms may be usefully captured with the metaphor of a disease. They claim some or even many of those who become wealthy will find the economic success leaving them unfulfilled and hungry only for more wealth, finding that they are unable to get pleasure from the things they buy and that increasingly material things may come to dominate their time and thoughts to the detriment of personal relationships and to feelings of happiness. The condition is considered particularly acute amongst those with inherited wealth, who are often said to experience ], lack of purpose and dissolute behavior, as well as ] with holding on to the wealth. Proponents also note survey evidence that suggest that levels of happiness have not increased in the last 50 years of economic growth in the West{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}.


The term "affluenza" was re-popularized in 2013 with the arrest of ], a wealthy Texas teen, for driving while intoxicated and killing four pedestrians and injuring several others. Testimony from a psychologist in court referred to Couch as having a case of affluenza, sparking a media frenzy and victim family outrage. The psychologist testified during the sentencing phase as a part of mitigation of penalty, not, as was reported, as a defence to the charge at trial.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
A potential criticism of the idea of affuenza is that it presents subjective social critique as an objective inevitable and debilitating illness.


==Theory==
==The Affluenza theory==
British psychologist ] asserts that there is a correlation between the increasing nature of affluenza and the resulting increase in material inequality: the more unequal a society, the greater the unhappiness of its citizens.<ref>{{cite book In 2007 British pop psychologist ] asserted that there was a correlation between the increasing occurrence of affluenza and the resulting increase in material inequality: the more unequal a society, the greater the unhappiness of its citizens.<ref>{{cite book |year=2007 |title=Affluenza: How to Be Successful and Stay Sane |last=James |first=Oliver |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-09-190011-3}}
⚫ </ref> Referring to ]'s thesis ''The Hidden Persuaders'' on the ] methods used by the advertising industry, James related the stimulation of artificial needs to the rise in affluenza. To highlight the spread of affluenza in societies with varied levels of inequality, James interviewed people in several cities including ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].
| date = 2007
| title = Affluenza: How to Be Successful and Stay Sane
| last = James
| first = Oliver
| publisher = ]
| isbn = 9780091900113
}}
⚫ </ref>. Referring to ]'s thesis (''The Hidden Persuaders'') on the ] methods used by the advertising industry, ] relates the stimulation of artificial needs to the rise in affluenza. To highlight the spread of affluenza in societies with varied levels of inequality, James interviewed people in several cities including Sydney, Singapore, Auckland, Moscow, Shanghai, Copenhagen and New York.


James also believes that higher rates of mental disorders are the consequence of excessive wealth-seeking in ] nations.<ref>{{cite book In 2008 James wrote that higher rates of mental disorders were the consequence of excessive wealth-seeking in ] nations.<ref>{{cite book |year=2008 |title=The Selfish Capitalist |last=James |first=Oliver |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-09-192381-5}}
⚫ </ref> In a graph created from multiple data sources, James plotted "Prevalence of any emotional distress" and "Income inequality", attempting to show that English-speaking nations have nearly twice as much emotional distress as mainland Europe and Japan: 21.6 percent vs 11.5 percent.<ref>{{cite book |title=Affluenza: How to be Successful and Stay Sane |last=James |first=Oliver |publisher=Vermilion |place=London |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-09-190010-6 |chapter=Appendix 2: Emotional Distress and Inequality: Selfish vs Unselfish Capitalist Nations |page= |quote=1. The mean prevalence of emotional distress for the six English-speaking nations combined was 21.6%. The mean for the other nations, mainland Western Europe plus Japan, was 11.5%. |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/affluenzaaefluen0000jame/page/344 }}</ref> James defined affluenza as "placing a high value on money, possessions, appearances (physical and social) and fame", which was the rationale behind the increasing mental illness in English-speaking societies. He explained the greater incidence of affluenza as the result of 'selfish capitalism', the ] liberal political governance found in English-speaking nations as compared to the less selfish ] pursued in mainland Europe. James asserted that societies can remove the negative consumerist effects by pursuing real needs over perceived wants, and by defining themselves as having value independent of their material possessions.{{cn|date=October 2024}}
| date = 2008
| title = The Selfish Capitalist
| last = James
| first = Oliver
| publisher = ]
| isbn = 9780091923815
}}
⚫ </ref>. He cites ] data that English-speaking nations have twice as much ] as mainland Europe: 23% vs 11.5% {{When|date=March 2009}}. James defines affluenza as 'placing a high value on ], ], appearances (physical and social) and fame,' and this becomes the rationale behind the increasing mental illness in English-speaking societies. He explains the greater incidence of affluenza as the result of 'Selfish Capitalism,' the ] Liberal political governance found in English-speaking nations as compared to the less selfish ] pursued in mainland ]. James asserts that societies can remove the negative consumerist effects by pursuing real needs over perceived wants, and by defining themselves as having value independent of their material possessions.


⚫ ] and ]'s book, '']'', poses the question: "If the economy has been doing so well, why are we not becoming happier?"{{r|HamiltonDenniss2005|p=vii}} They argue that affluenza causes ], "luxury fever", ], overwork, waste, and harm to the environment. These pressures lead to "psychological disorders, alienation and distress",{{r|HamiltonDenniss2005|p=179}} causing people to "self-medicate with mood-altering drugs and excessive alcohol consumption".<ref name="HamiltonDenniss2005">{{cite book|author1=Clive Hamilton|author2=Richard Denniss|title=Affluenza: When Too Much Is Never Enough|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FSJNuMZMvsMC&pg=PP1|year=2005|publisher=Allen & Unwin|isbn=978-1-74115-624-9}}</ref>{{rp|180}}
==Affluenza by country==
===Australia===
⚫ ] and ]' book<ref name=Hamilton> '']'', Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss, Allen & Unwin 2005, ISBN 1-74114-671-2</ref> poses the question, "If the economy has been doing so well, why are we not becoming happier?" (p''vii''). They argue that affluenza causes ], "luxury fever", ], overwork, waste, and harm to the environment. These pressures lead to "psychological disorders, alienation and distress" (p179), causing people to "self-medicate with mood-altering drugs and excessive alcohol consumption" (p180).


They note that a number of Australians have reacted by "]" &mdash; they decided to "reduce their incomes and place family, friends and contentment above money in determining their life goals." Their critique leads them to identify the need for an "alternative political philosophy," and the book concludes with a "political manifesto for wellbeing" (see ). They note that a number of Australians have reacted by "]"—they decided to "reduce their incomes and place family, friends and contentment above money in determining their life goals". Their critique leads them to identify the need for an "alternative political philosophy", and the book concludes with a "political manifesto for wellbeing".<ref>{{cite web |title=A Manifesto For Wellbeing |url=http://www.holistequine.com/articles/36-well-being-manifesto |website=Wellbeingmanifesto.net |publisher=The Australia Institute |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507163829/http://www.wellbeingmanifesto.net/ |archive-date=7 May 2005 |date=7 May 2005 |url-status=live }} (Archive is the same work, but on a different website)</ref>


== See also == == See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* ]
* {{annotated link|Affluenza (film)|''Affluenza'' (film)}}
* ] * {{annotated link|Conspicuous consumption}}
* '']''
* {{annotated link|Diseases of affluence}}
* {{annotated link|Escape from Affluenza|''Escape from Affluenza''}}
* {{annotated link|Lifestyle disease}}
* {{annotated link|People v. Turner|''People v. Turner''}}
* {{annotated link|Status Anxiety|''Status Anxiety''}}
{{div col end}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist|30em}}


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
* ''The Circle of Simplicity'', Cecile Andrews, ISBN 0-06-092872-7 * ''The Circle of Simplicity'', Cecile Andrews, {{ISBN|0-06-092872-7}}
* ''The Golden Ghetto: The Psychology of Affluence'', Jessie H. O'Neill, ISBN 978-0967855400 * ''The Golden Ghetto: The Psychology of Affluence'', Jessie H. O'Neill, {{ISBN|978-0-9678554-0-0}}
* ''Voluntary Simplicity'', Duane Elgin, ISBN 0-688-12119-5 * ''Voluntary Simplicity'', Duane Elgin, {{ISBN|0-688-12119-5}}
* ''How Much Is Too Much? Raising Likeable, Responsible, Respectful Children-From Toddler to Teens-In an Age of Overindulgence'', Clarke, Jean Illsley, ] & Dawson, Connie, {{ISBN|978-0-7382-1681-2}}
* ''Voluntary Simplicity'', Daniel Doherty & Amitai Etzioni, ISBN 0-7425-2066-8
* by Charles Siegel. Read online or download.


==External links== ==External links==
{{wiktionary}}
*
* {{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/kcts/affluenza |title=Affluenza |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=pbs.org }}
* *
*
* *
* *
* * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127012716/http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1718363/affluenza/ |date=27 November 2020 }}
* {{Internet Archive film clip|id=openmind_ep1357|description="The Open Mind - Affluenza (1984)"}}

{{Wealth|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 15:40, 29 October 2024

Socio-psychological effects of consumerism For diseases correlating with affluence, see Diseases of affluence. For other uses, see Affluenza (disambiguation).

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Affluenza describes the psychological and social effects of affluence. It is a portmanteau of affluence and influenza, and is used most commonly by critics of consumerism. Some psychologists consider it to be a pseudo-scientific term, however the word continues to be used in scientific literature.

History

The word is thought to have been first used in 1906, but was popularized in 1997 with a PBS documentary of the same name and the subsequent book Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic (2001, revised in 2005, 2014). These works define affluenza as "a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more". A more informal definition of the term would describe it as "a quasi-illness caused by guilt for one's own socio-economic superiority". The term "affluenza" has also been used to refer to an inability to understand the consequences of one's actions because of financial privilege.

The term "affluenza" was re-popularized in 2013 with the arrest of Ethan Couch, a wealthy Texas teen, for driving while intoxicated and killing four pedestrians and injuring several others. Testimony from a psychologist in court referred to Couch as having a case of affluenza, sparking a media frenzy and victim family outrage. The psychologist testified during the sentencing phase as a part of mitigation of penalty, not, as was reported, as a defence to the charge at trial.

Theory

In 2007 British pop psychologist Oliver James asserted that there was a correlation between the increasing occurrence of affluenza and the resulting increase in material inequality: the more unequal a society, the greater the unhappiness of its citizens. Referring to Vance Packard's thesis The Hidden Persuaders on the manipulative methods used by the advertising industry, James related the stimulation of artificial needs to the rise in affluenza. To highlight the spread of affluenza in societies with varied levels of inequality, James interviewed people in several cities including Sydney, Singapore, Auckland, Moscow, Shanghai, Copenhagen and New York.

In 2008 James wrote that higher rates of mental disorders were the consequence of excessive wealth-seeking in consumerist nations. In a graph created from multiple data sources, James plotted "Prevalence of any emotional distress" and "Income inequality", attempting to show that English-speaking nations have nearly twice as much emotional distress as mainland Europe and Japan: 21.6 percent vs 11.5 percent. James defined affluenza as "placing a high value on money, possessions, appearances (physical and social) and fame", which was the rationale behind the increasing mental illness in English-speaking societies. He explained the greater incidence of affluenza as the result of 'selfish capitalism', the market liberal political governance found in English-speaking nations as compared to the less selfish capitalism pursued in mainland Europe. James asserted that societies can remove the negative consumerist effects by pursuing real needs over perceived wants, and by defining themselves as having value independent of their material possessions.

Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss's book, Affluenza: When Too Much is Never Enough, poses the question: "If the economy has been doing so well, why are we not becoming happier?" They argue that affluenza causes overconsumption, "luxury fever", consumer debt, overwork, waste, and harm to the environment. These pressures lead to "psychological disorders, alienation and distress", causing people to "self-medicate with mood-altering drugs and excessive alcohol consumption".

They note that a number of Australians have reacted by "downshifting"—they decided to "reduce their incomes and place family, friends and contentment above money in determining their life goals". Their critique leads them to identify the need for an "alternative political philosophy", and the book concludes with a "political manifesto for wellbeing".

See also

References

  1. Ferguson, Christopher J. (14 December 2013). "Psychologist: "Affluenza" is Junk Science". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  2. Flurry, Laura Ann; Swimberghe, Krist R. (1 January 2021). "The affluenza epidemic: consequences of parent-child value congruence in a material world". Journal of Consumer Marketing. 38 (2): 201–210. doi:10.1108/JCM-04-2019-3159. ISSN 0736-3761.
  3. Kershaw, Sarah (4 January 2016). "Affluenza: a plague on both their houses, their cars and their yacht". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  4. "Escape from Affluenza", KCTS
  5. Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic, John de Graaf, David Wann & Thomas H. Naylor, 2001 ISBN 1-57675-199-6
  6. James, Oliver (2007). Affluenza: How to Be Successful and Stay Sane. Vermilion. ISBN 978-0-09-190011-3.
  7. James, Oliver (2008). The Selfish Capitalist. Vermilion. ISBN 978-0-09-192381-5.
  8. James, Oliver (2007). "Appendix 2: Emotional Distress and Inequality: Selfish vs Unselfish Capitalist Nations". Affluenza: How to be Successful and Stay Sane. London: Vermilion. p. 344. ISBN 978-0-09-190010-6. 1. The mean prevalence of emotional distress for the six English-speaking nations combined was 21.6%. The mean for the other nations, mainland Western Europe plus Japan, was 11.5%.
  9. ^ Clive Hamilton; Richard Denniss (2005). Affluenza: When Too Much Is Never Enough. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-74115-624-9.
  10. "A Manifesto For Wellbeing". Wellbeingmanifesto.net. The Australia Institute. 7 May 2005. Archived from the original on 7 May 2005. Retrieved 29 May 2018. (Archive is the same work, but on a different website)

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