Moving towards conscious consumption: an integral inquiry into post-consumer attitudes and behaviors
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Authors
Howind, Brunhild
Issue Date
2009
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Psychology
Alternative Title
Abstract
This thesis draws on the integral model as a theoretical framework to situate an investigation of post-consumer attitudes and behaviors. A mixed-methods approach has been used to explore the phenomenon from first-, second-, and third-person perspectives, employing four different methods of inquiry: autoethnographic journaling, structured meditative inquiry, hermeneutic analysis, and online survey.
Findings of this study suggest that post-consumer attitudes and behaviors are linked to worldcentric levels of psychological development. The main characteristic of post-consumer behavior, identified through all four methods, is an internal orientation that reaches beyond self-concern to include concern for others and the natural environment. Triangulation of findings across methods further revealed: a) Post-consumer attitudes or values do not predict post-consumer behavior. b) The main obstacles to post-consumer behavior are economic calculations. c) At a deeper level of awareness, consumption is done to establish a favorable separate selfidentity. And d) increased awareness of our oneness or interconnectedness with all of life would minimize harmful consumption.