The Fact
“Consumerism” has more than one established meaning. In psychology, one meaning is the purchase and consumption of goods and services beyond basic needs, often connected with conspicuous consumption and social status. The word can also mean the consumer-rights movement, so context matters.
What This Means
Consumerism is not simply “people buy things.” In the consumption-oriented meaning, it describes a social orientation in which acquiring and consuming goods extends beyond satisfying basic needs and can become tied to identity or status.
Sources
- American Psychological Association, APA Dictionary of Psychology, “consumerism.” https://dictionary.apa.org/consumerism Accessed October 2, 2026.