Age differences in children's happiness from material goods and experiences: The role of memory and theory of mind

Lan Nguyen Chaplin, Tina M. Lowrey, Ayalla A. Ruvio, L.J. Shrum and Kathleen D. Vohs

International Journal of Research in Marketing, 2020, vol. 37, issue 3, 572-586

Abstract: Adults view past experiences as making them happier than material goods, yet products and brands are highly coveted by children, even at young ages. Using a child developmental framework, we reconcile these two perspectives. Across four studies with children and adolescents of ages 3–17 years, we show that children (ages 3–12) derive more happiness from goods than from experiences, but the effect changes over time. As children age, the happiness they derive from experiences increases, to the point that older adolescents derive more happiness from experiences than from material goods, consistent with adult findings. We show that these effects are mediated by increases in two cognitive skills: memory and theory of mind, which we posit are necessary for a sufficient comprehension of experiences and their implications, which in turn facilitates their enjoyment.

Keywords: Children; Experiences; Happiness; Memory; Theory of mind; Materialism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ijrema:v:37:y:2020:i:3:p:572-586

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijresmar.2020.01.004

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