The Diderot effect describes a consumption spiral in which acquiring a new possession leads a person to feel that other related belongings are now inadequate, prompting a chain of further purchases meant to bring everything into harmony with the first new item. The pattern can lead to overspending and the steady accumulation of unnecessary goods. The term, coined by the anthropologist Grant McCracken in 1986, is named for the philosopher Denis Diderot, whose 1769 essay described how a fine new dressing gown made the rest of his possessions look shabby by comparison.
Facts
Core ClaimAcquiring a new possession leads to a spiral of consumption and the acquisition of ever more possessions. 1 First Described Year Sources
1. Diderot effect (Wikipedia)
Lead paragraph
The Diderot effect is a phenomenon that occurs when acquiring a new possession leads to a spiral of consumption that results in the acquisition of even more possessions.
Origin of the term
The term was coined by anthropologist and scholar of consumption patterns Grant McCracken in 1986.
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