Belk - the Extended Self Concept
Consumer Behaviour – WEEK 6
The self
« Possessions and the Extended self »
Russell W. Belk
To understand consumer behaviour we need to understand the meanings that consumers attached to possession. Possessions are part of ourselves.
This aim of the article: examine the relationship between possessions and sense of self
1. Evidence (that possessions are an important component of sense of self)
Possessions in Self-Perception Research
The extended = external objects, personal possessions, persons, places, and group possession, body parts, vital organs... (which as “me” and also which as “mine”).
McClelland (1951): external objects = part of self when we are able to exercise power or control over them. The greater the control we exercise, the more closely allied with self the object should become.
Prelinger: besides control over objects, also controls by objects are part of self. The more we believe we posses or re possessed by an object the more a part of self becomes.
Loss of Possessions
Possessions = part of self unintentional loss of possessions are a loss or lessening of self.
I.e.: when we go in a military camp, our hair is cut, we are not able to have personal object…ourselves is reduced.
Another reason: when Possessions are lost to theft or causality and also, when natural disasters appear. The vulnerability of such losses may damage the sense of self-derived from the attachment to home and neighbourhood.
Indeed, home and neighbourhood contributes to sense of self to the degree that a person feels control over them.
Functions and property of individual are taken over by institutions such as government and school.
The trauma isn’t present in voluntary disposition of possessions; we gladly neglect or dispose of possessions that are inconsistent with our image of self. But involuntary disposition (disposition is forced) will bring sorrow.
Involuntary losses = loss of self= just after we attempt of self-restoration by
The self
« Possessions and the Extended self »
Russell W. Belk
To understand consumer behaviour we need to understand the meanings that consumers attached to possession. Possessions are part of ourselves.
This aim of the article: examine the relationship between possessions and sense of self
1. Evidence (that possessions are an important component of sense of self)
Possessions in Self-Perception Research
The extended = external objects, personal possessions, persons, places, and group possession, body parts, vital organs... (which as “me” and also which as “mine”).
McClelland (1951): external objects = part of self when we are able to exercise power or control over them. The greater the control we exercise, the more closely allied with self the object should become.
Prelinger: besides control over objects, also controls by objects are part of self. The more we believe we posses or re possessed by an object the more a part of self becomes.
Loss of Possessions
Possessions = part of self unintentional loss of possessions are a loss or lessening of self.
I.e.: when we go in a military camp, our hair is cut, we are not able to have personal object…ourselves is reduced.
Another reason: when Possessions are lost to theft or causality and also, when natural disasters appear. The vulnerability of such losses may damage the sense of self-derived from the attachment to home and neighbourhood.
Indeed, home and neighbourhood contributes to sense of self to the degree that a person feels control over them.
Functions and property of individual are taken over by institutions such as government and school.
The trauma isn’t present in voluntary disposition of possessions; we gladly neglect or dispose of possessions that are inconsistent with our image of self. But involuntary disposition (disposition is forced) will bring sorrow.
Involuntary losses = loss of self= just after we attempt of self-restoration by