The Fact
No. In the consumption-oriented psychological definition, consumerism refers to purchasing and consuming beyond basic needs, and it is often associated with conspicuous consumption—using goods to obtain or signal social status.
What This Means
Consumption is necessary for ordinary life. Consumerism describes something broader: consumption becoming a social or identity system rather than only a way of meeting material needs.
Sources
- American Psychological Association, APA Dictionary of Psychology, “consumerism.” https://dictionary.apa.org/consumerism Accessed October 2, 2026.