The Psychology of Holiday Consumerism: Understanding Impact and Wellbeing

In this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the timely subject of holiday consumerism and its various impacts on mental health, community well-being, and global issues. Through recent events like the Amazon workers' strike, the episode highlights the complex interplay of psychological, social, and economic forces influencing consumer behavior. Leslie discusses the neuroscience behind decision-making under stress, marketing tactics that exploit emotional vulnerabilities, and the inverse relationship between materialism and happiness. The episode also covers coping mechanisms, such as conscious minimalism and mindful consumption, and provides insights on improving family communication during the holidays. Research on charitable giving, worker rights, and the interplay between consumer choices and environmental concerns is also examined, offering practical strategies for a more meaningful and mindful holiday season.

00:00 Welcome to PsyberSpace
00:24 The Psychology of Holiday Consumerism
02:24 Impact of Stress on Decision Making
03:08 Marketing Tactics and Emotional Manipulation
05:25 Materialism and Psychological Wellbeing
08:00 Economic Inequality and Worker Rights
10:01 Collective Trauma and Consumer Behavior
17:17 Strategies for Mindful Consumption
17:58 Post-Holiday Consumption Depression
22:57 Creating Healthier Holiday Patterns
25:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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