Exploring How Role-Identity Development Stage Moderates Person–Possession Relations

Abstract

In this article, we examine how person–possession relations vary across three stages of the role-identity cultivation processes. We explore stage-related variation in the accumulation of role-related consumption stimuli and their self-relevance in a cross-sectional sample of two freely chosen athletic role-identities. Results show that as individuals cultivate an identity they accumulate more role-related possessions, social ties, and media commitments, and evaluation of those elements becomes more positive, yet the impact of those stimuli on self-conception declines. Ultimately, the results suggest that a full understanding of person–possession relations must include consideration of how role-identity cultivation stage moderates relations between people and consumption stimuli.

Citation

Schultz Kleine, S., Kleine, R.E. and Laverie, D.A. (2006), "Exploring How Role-Identity Development Stage Moderates Person–Possession Relations", Belk, R.W. (Ed.) Research in Consumer Behavior (Research in Consumer Behavior, Vol. 10), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 127-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-2111(06)10006-X