Abstract
Three studies employing multimethod approach were conducted to examine the potential effect of air pollution on materialism. By employing objective regional data on air pollution and materialism, Study 1 revealed a significant association between air pollution and materialism at the aggregate level. Drawing on data from a nationally representative survey, Study 2 observed that participants who perceived more air pollution in their place reported greater endorsement of materialistic values. Study 3 further demonstrated that participants who were primed with psychological experience of air pollution showed a significantly higher state materialism compared to the control group, and this association is mediated via insecurity feelings. Overall, the present findings suggest that air pollution could relate to elevated materialism. The result of this research is expected to provide new insights into antecedents of materialism as well as psychological consequences of air pollution, but also has implications for marketing practice and public policy.
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The studies described in this paper were supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (No. 18BSH122) and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (010914370122). The funders had no role in study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, writing of the report, or decision to submit the article for publication.
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Xiang, P., Wang, C. & Geng, L. Polluted belief: the potential effect of air pollution on materialism. Curr Psychol 42, 22919–22931 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03440-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03440-0