New research from the University of New Hampshire has found that people who are more secure (those who feel loved and accepted by others) place less monetary value on their possessions. The research was featured in an article in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
The researchers defined security as feeling acceptance and love from others and measured how much participants valued certain items, such as a blanket and pen. People who did not feel secure placed values up to five teams greater than those who were secure on certain items.
Study leader Edward Lemay pointed to a major reason why people value possessions; they can offer a sense of protection, insurance, and comfort. However, feeling loved and accepted by others also offers a great sense protection, insurance and comfort, Lemay explained. Therefore those who lack security in the emotional sense are more likely to cling to their material possessions.
“These findings seem particularly relevant to understanding why people may hang onto goods that are no longer useful,” Lemay said.
Lemay and his colleagues believe their study’s results can be used to help individuals with hoarding disorders.
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