Group Presentation for Consumer & Buyer Behavior Course at SJU. Shopping Addiction Project Presentation.

1. Could you be a Shopaholic? • Do you hide purchases from your loved ones? • Are there items in your closet with the tags still on? • Do you "forget" about purchases & wonder how to pay for them when the bill arrives? • Do you often tap into "emergency" savings to make ends meet? Do you travel at the drop of a hat or take more trips before past ones are paid for? (Bridgforth, 2004)

2. RESEARCH GROUP Starring Brian Carney, Lanae Corby, Robin Juliano Dart, Nicole Lima, Laura Matz

5. Men = shop to compete (electronics, real estate, etc.)

6. Group Research Survey Results 74% admitted that they go shopping once a week. Participants spent an average of $25 to $50 per week shopping. 76% percent also owned between one and three credit cards, including store credit cards. The majority of those that took the survey stated that they actually feel a certain “high” after completing a shopping spree. 19% percent of the participants admitted that they have gotten themselves into financial trouble because of their careless shopping habits. Almost half of those who took the survey disagreed that they felt guilty after purchasing these items, even though sometimes fully aware that they simply could not afford them.

8. Why? It’s All in Your Head! Central Nervous System Nucleus Accumbens= Rewards Brain w/ the Opioid Dopamine HERE Amygdala & Cerebellum also involved with emotional reactions to pleasure. Shopping is Highly Involving. Dopamine creates a temporary “high”, also released during sex. These feelings can be Addictive! Gamblers, Drug Abusers, Alcoholics and even Shopaholics experience this. “Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift.... The hangover comes the day after.” - Joyce Brothers, Psychologist

12. Previously known as manic depression

13. Impairs thinking and judgmentJack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets

16. Credit Cards (Chase, Discover, etc.)

17. Online Shopping Sites (Ebay, Gap, Loft, etc.)

18. Magazines (Lucky, Marie Claire, etc.)

21. Use of Sensory Stimuli— Visual Displays, Music, Scents ignite the senses and excites consumers so that they shop longer and spend more $$$.“Shopping is my Cardio.” - Carrie from Sex and the City

25. Encourages people to use their credit cards more often = DEBT!!! “I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet.” - Carrie from Sex and the City =

27. A Computer & Credit Card is All You Need

29. “Text to Buy” items featured in Lucky Magazine

30. QR Codes – Cell Phones Direct Readers to Company Websites

32. Avon – Makeup

34. Product Endorsements & Sponsorship (i.e. American Idol – Coca Cola)

36. Shop to become their Ideal Selves

37. Meanwhile their Actual Selves are falling into Debt

39. Phone Applications – Games, Shopping Sites

43. While attempting to reach their Ideal Self, a Compulsive Buyer’s Actual Self has become obsessed with obtaining and having possessions to fill the void.Eeeek!!

45. Make a Shopping Diary to Track Purchases

46. Set up a Budget and Set a $avings Goal

47. Cancel Magazines, Catalogs, Emails

48. Avoid Carrying Credit Cards“If I don’t stop shopping, I’ll end up a bag lady; a Fendi bag lady, but a bag lady…..” - Carrie from Sex and the City

50. Proper medication

51. Involvement in Support Groups

52. Encourage family/friends to learn about topic

54. AllPaid

55. Hearth House

56. Debtors Anonymous (DA)

57. Meetings began in 1982

58. Recovery methods are based on that of Alcoholics Anonymous

59. More than 500 registered meeting groups in over 15 countries

61. Importance of anonymity was emphasized at all times

62. Short prayer to God asking for knowledge and for the courage to change – Serenity Prayer

63. Reading of the twelve steps embraced by the organization

64. Introduction of newcomers

65. Pre-selected reading from an outside source

67. Pressure Relief Meetings

69. Any Questions???