Smile! You might save money.

[cherdt]

Misery is not Miserly (PDF) is a new study demonstrating that people who are sad and self-focused are willing to pay more money to acquire an object than people who are happy and other-focused

Comments

[iamrobertsworry]

This study doesn't touch on if they are taught this, perhaps that is why the hunter collects horns and the gatherer makes jewelery.

[hungrybecky]

people cheering up/ recognizing what truly has value seems like a good idea to me. and im not kidding.

tho consumerism is of course influenced by other things, like the fact that our economy depends on it.

but this is definitely a valid point, you don't need a scientific study to see that advertisers prey on insecurity. ("you need to buy a fancy engagement ring because you're afraid you'll get turned down" etc.)