What psychological phenomenon describes buying luxury goods to fit into an admired social group?
Chapter 1

The signal of status

Chapter 2

The art of manufactured scarcity

Chapter 3

How the brain prices luxury

Chapter 4

Global styles of luxury

YOUR GOAL

Master of The psychology of luxury

Ch 1 · The signal of status
marcus
The Flex Machine
BETA

marcus Sort luxury items by their flex factor to discover why we love to show off.

Jul 25

marcus

marcus The Psychology of Luxury

We flash the labels thinking we'll make a friend, but the quiet t-shirt wins in the end

Jul 25

marcus

marcus When higher prices boost demand

Jul 25

marcus
The urge to fit in

marcus People buy luxury goods to feel accepted by peer groups they admire.

Jul 25

marcus
When higher prices boost demand

marcus Unlike normal products, some luxury items become more desirable as their prices increase.

Jul 25

marcus
Fun Fact

Peacocking products: The term "conspicuous consumption" was coined way back in 1899 by sociologist Thorstein Veblen.

Jul 25

marcus
Glossary
conspicuous consumption (noun)
The purchase of expensive goods or services to publicly display wealth and social standing. A 2018 study showed that administering testosterone to men increased their preference for prestige luxury brands.

Jul 25

marcus
Gossip

Which luxury item is most overrated?

Jul 25

marcus
Quiz

In which year did Thorstein Veblen publish his theory on conspicuous consumption?

Jul 25

marcus

marcus The urge to fit in

Jul 25

marcus
Quiz

Which animal's tail is frequently compared to human luxury signaling in evolutionary biology?

Jul 25

marcus

marcus The science of showing off

Jul 25

marcus
Quiz

What psychological phenomenon describes buying luxury goods to fit into an admired social group?

Jul 25

marcus

marcus Counterfeits and the honest truth

Jul 25

marcus
Quiz

Who coined the term "conspicuous consumption" in 1899?

Jul 25

marcus
Quiz

In standard economics, what typically happens to normal goods when their price increases?

Jul 25

marcus
Quiz

According to a Harvard study, how did wearing counterfeit sunglasses affect the participants' behavior?

Jul 25

marcus
Quiz

What is a "Veblen good" in consumer economics?

Jul 25

marcus
Quiz

What does the "snob effect" lead consumers to do in the luxury market?

Jul 25