Feelings of ostracism and valuation of personal possessions: A test of the self-extension theory of ownership.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Feelings of ostracism and valuation of personal possessions

T2 - A test of the self-extension theory of ownership.

AU - Walasek, Lukasz

AU - Matthews, William J

AU - Rakow, Tim

PY - 2015/10

Y1 - 2015/10

N2 - A growing body of research has demonstrated that feelings of possession influence the valuation of personal possessions. Psychological theories of ownership suggest that a special bond between a person and his/her possession arises in response to the innate motivation for effectance, self-identity and need for home. However, current empirical support is insufficient to make a causal link between these psychological needs and feelings of ownership. In four studies (total N > 800), we manipulated people's basic needs by inducing feelings of ostracism, which threatens the needs for belonging, self-esteem, control, and belief in a meaningful existence. Despite the fact that these social needs are closely related to the putative antecedents of feelings of ownership, the ostracism manipulation did not significantly affect participants’ feelings of ownership, or their valuations of their possessions, whether measured by willingness to accept or willingness to pay. These results suggest that the special bond that people have with their belongings is not readily used to restore basic psychological needs following the experience of social exclusion.

AB - A growing body of research has demonstrated that feelings of possession influence the valuation of personal possessions. Psychological theories of ownership suggest that a special bond between a person and his/her possession arises in response to the innate motivation for effectance, self-identity and need for home. However, current empirical support is insufficient to make a causal link between these psychological needs and feelings of ownership. In four studies (total N > 800), we manipulated people's basic needs by inducing feelings of ostracism, which threatens the needs for belonging, self-esteem, control, and belief in a meaningful existence. Despite the fact that these social needs are closely related to the putative antecedents of feelings of ownership, the ostracism manipulation did not significantly affect participants’ feelings of ownership, or their valuations of their possessions, whether measured by willingness to accept or willingness to pay. These results suggest that the special bond that people have with their belongings is not readily used to restore basic psychological needs following the experience of social exclusion.

KW - Psychological ownership

KW - Self-extension

KW - Endowment effect

KW - Ownership

KW - Ostracism

U2 - 10.1016/j.socec.2015.04.012

DO - 10.1016/j.socec.2015.04.012

M3 - Article

SN - 2214-8043

VL - 58

SP - 195

EP - 204

JO - Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics

JF - Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics

ER -