• Consumerism is the theory that people who consume goods and services in large quantities will live better.

  • Some economists believe that consumer spending stimulates production and economic growth.
  • Economists view consumption as the satisfaction of biological needs and desires based on utility maximization.
  • Instead, sociologists see consumption as the additional satisfaction of social needs and desires through symbolic transactions.
  • Hyperconsumerism is widely criticized for its economic, social, environmental and psychological consequences.