IS CONSUMPTION HAPPINESS?

Elisabeth Laville is a French economist who 3. Those who consider consumerism as

answered our questions as director of the
Observatory of Responsible Consumption.
From her point of view, ‘Our addiction to
consumption is the biggest taboo of our
modern societies’, she said. ‘We keep
consuming more, convinced that
consumption is the key to our individual
happiness’.
However, research has shown that
materialism doesn’t translate to happiness;
“The opposite happens’, Laville said.
‘Moreover, people who place more value on
consuming are almost always less happy.
Besides, their level of self-esteem and the
quality of their relationships is lower.
Consequently, they dedicate less time to the
actual factors of happiness: friends, family
and a fulfilling job.
valuable are always less happy.
a. True
b. False
4. What does the author consider the key
elements for happiness?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
CONSEQUENCES
Explain in your own words the consequences
of what Laville said.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

ANSWERING QUESTIONS
1. What is Laville’s point of view?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
2. Materialism...
a. Can help to reach happiness
b. Is the opposite to happiness
c. Is happiness

Elisabeth Laville is the director of the Observatory of

Responsible Consumption.
IS CONSUMPTION HAPPINESS?
Elisabeth Laville answered our questions as director of the Observatory of Responsible

Consumption. From her point of view, ‘Our addiction to consumption is the biggest taboo of

our societies’, she said. ‘We are convinced that consumption is the key to our individual

happiness’.

1. What is Laville’s point of view?

a. It is the key to our individual happiness

b. Addiction to consumption is the biggest taboo in our society

However, research has shown that materialism doesn’t translate to happiness; “The opposite
happens’, Laville said.
‘Moreover, people who place more value on consuming are almost always less happy.

2. Materialism...
a. Can help to reach happiness
b. Is the opposite to happiness

Besides, their level of self-esteem and the quality of their relationships is lower.
Consequently, they dedicate less time to the actual factors of happiness: friends, family and a
fulfilling job.

3. Explain in your own words the consequences of valuing consuming according to Laville.

On the one hand, _________________________________________________________________

On the other hand,_________________________________________________________________

CONSUMPTION ANDADDICTION
In an interview with Shedia, in Greece, Maria
Petropoulou described her personal
experience with addiction to consumption.
‘I constantly wanted to buy things, mostly
clothes and shoes, although I knew that I
could not afford it’, she said. ‘This intensified
when I was 16 to 17 years old. At the
instant of the purchase, I felt completeness,
joy, euphoria. However, once it was
completed, there was guilt, remorse and
melancholy too.
Moreover, I was aware that, if I continued in
this path, I would go broke and that it would
affect my family. ‘
‘These negative feelings would intensify at
first,’ she said, ‘although they faded after a
few days, and the need to buy would start all
over again.’
3. When she bought, she felt joy, euphoria
and __________.
4. She was was sorry for her.
a. True
b. False
How do you know it?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________.
CONSEQUENCES
Explain in your own words Maria’s feelings
during and after purchasing.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

ANSWERING QUESTIONS
1. What was Maria’s problem?
_______________________________________.

2. Maria’s problem was less intense when

she was 16.
a True
b.False
CONSUMPTION AND ADDICTION
In an interview with Shedia, in Greece, Maria Petropoulou described her personal
experience with addiction to consumption.

1. What was Maria’s problem?

_______________________________________.

‘I constantly wanted to buy things, mostly clothes and shoes, although I knew that I could
not afford it’, she said. ‘This intensified when I was 16 to 17 years old. At the instant of the
purchase, I felt completeness, joy, euphoria. However, once it was completed, there was
guilt, remorse and melancholy too.

2. Maria’s problem was less intense when she was 16.

a True
b.False

Moreover, I was aware that, if I continued in this path, I would go broke and that it would
affect my family. ‘ ‘These negative feelings would intensify at first,’ she said, ‘although they
faded after a few days, and the need to buy would start all over again.’

4. She was aware that...

a. She could go broke and affect her family

b. She would feel better after purchasing again.

Explain in your own words Maria’s feelings during and after purchasing.
On the one hand,_______________________________________________________________
On the other hand,______________________________________________________________