Anti-consumption in East Germany: consumer resistance to hyperconsumption

May combine two claims.

East Germans feel resentment and betrayal about consumption.

“We find feelings of resentment and betrayal and discover a much deeper issue with consumption: the fact that consumption is often a disillusioning experience and that material possessions and abundance are actually driving East Germans apart -making them feel less socially connected.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Mandy realized that current levels of consumption are wasteful.

“Mandy, one of the two participants that had moved west in the mid 1990s, also realized that current levels of consumption is wasteful.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

Informants voiced feelings of aversion against the oversupply of consumer goods, struggling to fit past values of refraining from unnecessary consumption with current pressure to partake in hyperconsumption.

“Our informants voiced feelings of aversion against the oversupply of consumer goods struggling to find a fit between past values of refraining from unnecessary consumption and current pressure to partake in hyperconsumption.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

Goods were suddenly available, yet the experience of acquiring goods suffered.

“Goods were suddenly available, yet, the experience of acquiring goods suffered.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

The informants clearly expressed dislike for introduced consumerism, lighthearted throwawayism, and the overall lack of sustainability views.

“The informants in this study clearly expressed their dislike for the introduced consumerism, the lighthearted throwawayism, and the overall lack of sustainability views.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

East Germans are resisting hyperconsumption and throwawayism.

“While there is a surge in consumerism in many developing and former communist societies in Asia (Etzioni, 1998), we find that East Germans are resisting hyperconsumption and throwawayism.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

It was no longer a necessity for informants to behave frugally, but they still continue, in part, to resist over-consumption.

“It is clear in our analysis that it was no longer a necessity (items are no longer scarce) for informants to behave frugally but they still continue, in part, to resist over-consumption.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

Participants generally believed that goods from GDR times were sturdy, made to last, and repairable.

“Participants stated that they generally believed that goods from GDR times were sturdy, made to last, and repairable.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Ulla came to the realization of unnecessary purchases by participating in hyperconsumption.

“A similar case of rejecting hyperconsumption was stated by Ulla who asserts that she came to the realization of unnecessary purchases by participating in hyperconsumption: I think I became a more conscious consumer by going through all of this [hyperconsumption] after the Wall.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

With the transition to a demand economy, economic necessity to save and repair vanished, but many consumers still choose to integrate their cultural values and refuse to participate in wasteful consumption.

“With the transition to a demand economy, this necessity vanished, but many consumers still choose to integrate their cultural values and refuse to participate in wasteful consumption.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Norbert explains that goods were never disposed of prior to the end of the life cycle.

“Norbert explains that goods were never disposed of prior to the end of the life cycle.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

East Germans question the logic of Western consumption models by voicing concerns and re-practicing former East German consumption practices to limit the social consequences of excessive waste.

“East Germans now question the logic of Western consumption models by not only voicing concerns but also re-practicing former East German consumption practices in an attempt to limit the social consequences of creating excessive waste.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

Nearly all Western products required East Germans to gain new experiences with brands, often causing frustration and confusion.

“Nearly all Western products required East Germans to gain new experiences with brands often causing frustration and confusion.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

The replacement of familiar Eastern products with Western products offered opportunities but also created challenges for East Germans.

“The replacement of familiar Eastern products with Western products not only offered opportunities, but also created challenges for East Germans.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

Most participants recognize positive changes associated with becoming a market economy, but the informants continue to struggle to accept the individualistic ideal and the new philosophies of hyperconsumption and throwawayism.

“While most participants recognize the positive changes associated with becoming a market economy, our informants continue their struggle to accept the individualistic ideal and the new philosophies of hyperconsumption and throwawayism.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

Former East Germans hold attitudes against Western consumer culture and felt disillusionment after realizing that their participation did not necessarily make their lives better.

“This paper examines the attitudes former East Germans hold against Western consumer culture and the disillusionment they felt after realizing that their participation did not necessarily make their lives better.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Norbert learned that he was better off keeping possessions for future times.

“Norbert learned that he was better off keeping possessions for future times.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

East Germans seek to efficiently use resources such as consumer durables and oftentimes store or repair old or broken products for possible future use.

“The current study adds to this literature by showing how East Germans seek to efficiently use resources such as consumer durables and oftentimes store or repair old or broken products for possible future use.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

The three identified themes illustrate a strong aversion and resistance to a throwaway society and a longing for durable, high-quality products.

“The three identified themes described above illustrate a strong aversion and resistance to a throwaway society and a longing for durable, high-quality products.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It had become an 'elbow society.'

“It had become an ''elbow society.''”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Detlef prefers East German products whenever possible because he perceives their quality as superior.

“Detlef prefers East German products whenever possible as he perceives their quality as superior.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Some informants reported that it is not as much fun to shop anymore.

“Some even reported that it is not as much fun to shop anymore.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Birgit stated that Eastern brand quality was better than its reputation, and her experience with Western brands did not live up to expectations.

“Birgit also stated that Eastern brand quality was better than its reputation, and her experience with Western brands did not live up to expectations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

By 'better' Rainer and others refer to the GDR experience as being 'a lot more comfortable, direct, and transparent.'

“By ''better'' Rainer and others refer to the GDR experience as being ''a lot more comfortable, direct, and transparent.''”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Somehow this does not feel right to many East Germans.

“Somehow this does not feel right to many East Germans.”

May combine two claims.

The informants long for a stronger communal practice and a social connectedness through a less consumption-oriented society.

“The informants also long for a stronger communal practice and a social connectedness through a less consumption-oriented society.”

May combine two claims.

Some informants welcomed the capitalist system and viewed it as 'not bad,' but often noted it had negative aspects.

“Although some informants welcomed the capitalist system and viewed it as ''not bad,'' they often noted that it had some negative aspects that came along with it.”

May combine two claims.

We found a longing for more values in today's system, more personal responsibility and less consumption orientation in the marketplace.

“We found a longing for more values in today's system, more personal responsibility and less consumption orientation in the marketplace.”

May combine two claims.

Their very identities are now tied to their possessions, and for the first time, they feel like they have to 'keep up with the Joneses.'

“In fact, their very identities are now tied to their possessions, and for the first time, they feel like they have to ''keep up with the Joneses.''”

May combine two claims.

Eastern products are perceived as being of higher quality and appeal to feelings of nostalgia (Ostalgie).

“The products are perceived as being of higher quality and they also appeal to feelings of nostalgia, or as Rainer calls it ''Ostalgie,'' a portmanteau of the German words Ost (East) and nostalgie (nostalgia).”

May combine two claims.

Informants described the West as a throwaway society and too consumption oriented, resulting in a non-sensical oversupply of things.

“Several informants shared their disappointment of the lack of quality in the goods that were offered, that ''they broke easily,'' that products were not ''as robust as Eastern products that could be repaired,'' that the West is a ''throwaway society,'' ''too consumption oriented,'' resulting in ''a type of non-sensical oversupply of things.''”

May combine two claims.

East Germans value longer-term relationships with their things/products and avoid unnecessary consumption and divestment of goods.

“East Germans prefer longer-term relationships with their products.”

• Also stated in: § Conclusion · plain

  “East Germans value longer-term relationships with their things and avoid unnecessary consumption and divestment of goods.”

May combine two claims.

At a deeper level, we find feelings of resentment and betrayal showing that there was a huge discrepancy between the beautiful visions of material abundance and Western affluence that East Germans expected and its reality upon attainment.

“At a deeper level, we find feelings of resentment and betrayal showing that there was a huge discrepancy between the beautiful visions of material abundance and Western affluence that East Germans expected and its reality upon attainment (Veenis, 1999).”

• cites Veenis, 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The data suggest that many consumers resist change to a consumption-driven ideology and develop a defensive reaction against its norms.

“The data suggest that many consumers resist change to a consumption-driven ideology and develop a defensive reaction against its norms (Cherrier et al., 2010).”

• cites Cherrier et al., 2010Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Many of the informants in this study consider capitalism an 'unfriendly market system' due to the decrease in social connectedness and the increase of an 'elbow society' where every man and woman is fighting for him/herself.

“Many of the informants in this study consider capitalism an ''unfriendly market system'' due to the decrease in social connectedness and the increase of an ''elbow society'' where every man and woman is fighting for him/herself.”

May combine two claims.

Less social interaction and decreased feelings of uniqueness affected the enjoyment of consumption.

“Less social interaction and decreased feelings of uniqueness (of obtaining hard to find goods) affected the enjoyment of consumption.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The three themes help us understand how the former collective view may still be adhered to and affect consumption decisions years after transitioning to a market economy.

“These three themes help us understand how the former collective view may still be adhered to and affect consumption decisions years after transitioning to a market economy.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

As East Germans are swept up in global capitalism, their collective identity and sense of community is swallowed up.

“As East Germans are swept up in the global economic juggernaut of capitalism, they find that their collective identity and sense of community is also swallowed up.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

East Germans became more conscious about Western models of consumption, and these experiences shaped future preferences for re-introduced Eastern brands.

“East Germans became more conscious about Western models of consumption, and these experiences shaped future preferences for re-introduced Eastern brands.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Interviews were continued until themes were saturated and no additional refinements emerged from adding more participants.

“We continued conducting interviews until our themes were saturated and no additional refinements emerged from the addition of more participants (Glaser and Strauss, 1967).”

• cites Glaser and Strauss, 1967Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

After independent coding, the authors discussed the meaning of the themes and analyzed the data.

“After independent coding of the data, the authors discussed the meaning of the themes and analyzed the data (for similar approaches see Kozinets and Handelman, 2004;Thompson and Arsel, 2004).”

• cites Kozinets and Handelman, 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Thompson and Arsel, 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In industrialized societies, ideals have elevated consumption to the level of a virtue.

“In industrialized societies, these ideals have elevated consumption to the level of a virtue (Kopf et al., in press).”

• cites Kopf et al., in pressNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Analysis and review of the data were done independently by the three researchers through iterative readings in search for emergent and recurring themes.

“Analysis and review of the data were done independently by the three researchers through iterative readings in search for emergent and recurring themes.”

May combine two claims.

East Germans were not familiar with varying quality standards for products, thus expected them to perform equally well across a product category.

“East Germans were not familiar with varying quality standards for products, thus expected them to perform equally well across a product category.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

East Germans' resistance to Western practices of hyperconsumption appears as dialogism, frugality-as-an-ethic, and an aversion to low quality throwaway-type products.

“Upon this realization, dialogism appears, and we uncover this as resistance to Western practices of hyperconsumption, frugality-as-an-ethic and an aversion to low quality throwaway-type products.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: East Germans were introduced to a specific set of socio-political factors under communist rule that shaped their mentality for over 40 years.

May combine two claims.

Capitalism created the haves and have-nots in the former East Germany (along with feelings of jealousy).

“Capitalism created the haves and have-nots in the former East Germany (along with feelings of jealousy).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Experience that is negatively disconfirmed can lead to dissatisfaction and subsequent avoidance of or anti-loyalty to brands.

“Experience that is negatively disconfirmed can lead to dissatisfaction and subsequent avoidance of or anti-loyalty to brands (Lee et al., 2009b).”

• cites Lee et al., 2009bNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Through capitalism, East Germans have achieved the material abundance that eluded them for almost a century, only to learn that this did not make them any happier.

“Finally, through capitalism, they have achieved the material abundance that eluded them for almost a century -only to learn that this did not make them any happier.”

May combine two claims.

Along with new pressures comes the feeling that something special had been lost - Rainer's 'comfort, directness, and transparency' have been replaced by insecurity and estrangement.

“Along with new pressures comes the feeling that something special had been lost -Rainer's ''comfort, directness, and transparency'' have been replaced by insecurity and estrangement (Veenis, 1999).”

• cites Veenis, 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Although our informants had lived through a form of nonvoluntary simplicity based on necessity prior to 1989, they now voluntarily choose to return to a familiar lifestyle as a response to the capitalist system.

“Although our informants had lived through a form of nonvoluntary simplicity, that was based on necessity prior to 1989, they now voluntary choose to return to a familiar lifestyle as a response to the capitalist system.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Many consumers now believe that over-consumption can create feelings of stress, fatigue, unhappiness, or disillusionment.

“Western societies consider consumption of products to be a road to happiness (Hetrick, 1989), but more recent research indicates that many consumers now believe that over-consumption can create feelings of stress, fatigue, unhappiness, or disillusionment (Zavestoski 2002b).”

• cites Zavestoski 2002bNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

This finding extends Zavestoski's (2002b) research on voluntary simplifiers and their quest for authenticity through alternative consumption practices to a broader consumer segment spanning several socioeconomic levels and illustrates that it is not only high-income consumers who struggle with materialism.

“This finding extends Zavestoski's (2002b) research on voluntary simplifiers and their quest for authenticity through alternative consumption practices to a broader consumer segment spanning several socioeconomic levels and illustrates that it is not only high-income consumers who struggle with materialism.”

• cites Zavestoski, 2002bNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Frugal behavior can be attributed to a personality trait learned early in life, a desire to have less of a negative impact on the environment, and/or a less negative effect on people.

“Frugal behavior can be attributed to a personality trait learned early in life (Lastovicka et al., 1999), a desire to have less of a negative impact on the environment (Straughan and Roberts, 1999), and/or a less negative effect on people (Pepper et al., 2009).”

• cites Lastovicka et al., 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Straughan and Roberts, 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Pepper et al., 2009 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The decline of close-knit communities results in more individuation and less formal interactions in society.

“The decline of close-knit communities results in more individuation and less formal interactions in society (Giddens, 1991).”

• cites Giddens, 1991Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Our results indicate that future examinations of whether anti-consumption behavior is proactive or reactive are not likely to be as useful as future studies that investigate the differences between selectively driven versus generally practiced anti-consumption.

“Furthermore, our results indicate that future examinations of whether or not anti-consumption behavior is proactive (internally driven) or reactive (externally driven) are not likely to be as useful as future studies that investigate the differences between selectively driven versus generally practiced anti-consumption (further refining the future research agenda proposed by Lee et al. (2009a)).”

• cites Lee et al. (2009a)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Western societies consider consumption of products to be a road to happiness.

“Western societies consider consumption of products to be a road to happiness (Hetrick, 1989), but more recent research indicates that many consumers now believe that over-consumption can create feelings of stress, fatigue, unhappiness, or disillusionment (Zavestoski 2002b).”

• cites Hetrick, 1989Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Zavestoski 2002bNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

We cannot assume that all East Germans share these viewpoints.

“We did try to find a diverse sample in terms of age and occupation; however we cannot assume that all East Germans share these viewpoints.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The transition from socialism to postsocialism changed the dynamics of society and created a crisis of values in many Eastern countries.

“The transition from socialism to postsocialism changed the dynamics of society and created a ''crisis of values'' in many of the Eastern countries (Humphrey, 2002: 43).”

• cites Humphrey, 2002: 43Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

We did try to find a diverse sample in terms of age and occupation.

“We did try to find a diverse sample in terms of age and occupation; however we cannot assume that all East Germans share these viewpoints.”

May combine two claims.

Our 'Continued frugality' theme adds to the literature stream of voluntary simplifiers by illustrating consumers' retention of goods for future use and at the same time as resisting new purchases.

“By illustrating consumers' retention of goods for future use and at the same time as resisting new purchases, our ''Continued frugality'' theme adds to the literature stream of voluntary simplifiers.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A sample of 20 is not considered representative of the entire population of the former GDR.

“As with most qualitative research based on a small number of informants, a sample of 20 is not considered representative of the entire population of the former GDR.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Over-consumption and materialism are contributing to a long-run decline of quality of life in industrial societies, which in turn may cause a form of anti-materialism as a consumer response.

“Kilbourn et al. (1997) concludes that over-consumption and materialism are contributing to a long-run decline of quality of life in industrial societies; which in turn may cause a form of anti-materialism as a consumer response (Santino, 1996).”

• cites Kilbourn et al. (1997)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Santino, 1996Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

East Germans, like the rest of us, now define themselves by their possessions.

“East Germans, like the rest of us, now define themselves by their possessions.”

May combine two claims.

Material possessions and abundance are actually driving East Germans apart, making them feel less socially connected.

“and that material possessions and abundance are actually driving East Germans apart, making them feel less socially connected.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Excessive product packaging goes against East German frugality.

“Excessive product packaging also goes against East German frugality.”