The Routledge Companion to Identity and Consumption

Russell W Belk editor Ayalla A Ruvio editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:18th Dec '12

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The Routledge Companion to Identity and Consumption cover

"Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are," said Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. Today, "You are what you consume" is more apt. Barbara Krueger’s ironic twist of Descartes - "I shop therefore I am" - has lost its irony. Such phrases have become commonplace descriptions of our identity in the contemporary world. In our materialistic world it seems as if there is no debate that our consumption behaviour is fused with our self-identity - shaping it, changing it and often challenging it.

The Routledge Companion to Identity and Consumption introduces the reader to state-of-the-art research, written by the world’s leading scholars regarding the interplay between identity and consumption. The book addresses the diverse issues regarding the ways identity affects our consumption behaviour and vice-versa and in doing so, presents a broad perspective on the dynamics of self-identity and consumption.

With chapters discussing the theory, research and practical implications of these dynamics, including the way they change across our life span and their expression within different social, cultural and religious contexts, this book will be a valuable reference source for students and academics from a variety of disciplines.

'In this volume, scholars from across the research spectrum plumb the protean self for its relationship to stuff. Through many and varied contexts both actual and virtual, the psychological and cultural antecedents and consequences of identity projects grounded in possessions are carefully examined. The insights are compelling, and often quite evocative. This book will facilitate interesting new inquiry and fresh teaching in a number of disciplines.'

John F. Sherry, Jr., Herrick Professor & Department Chair, University of Notre Dame, USA

'Ruvio and Belk have succeeded in pulling together an impressive, high quality collection of chapters authored by some of the very best scholars writing today. All of which makes this book an absolutely essential port-of-call for anyone who is serious about understanding the dynamics of identity projects in our consumption-driven world.'

Professor Mark Tadajewski, Durham University Business School, UK

'This collection of original and provocative articles brings fascinating insights into the myriad ways in which identity and consumption intersect in our contemporary consumer society. With contributions from leading scholars, it is an essential resource for researchers in this field.'

Professor Pauline Maclaran, Royal Holloway University of London, UK

ISBN: 9780415783064

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 990g

424 pages