Psychology Explains Why Some People Buy So Much Stuff
Briefly

The article explores the case of Sadie, a woman who conceals her compulsive shopping habits from family and has accrued $20,000 in debt from her online purchases. This issue, noted as 'krankhafte Kauflust' by psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin in 1899, is argued to be increasingly exacerbated by the modern e-commerce landscape, with platforms like Amazon and Temu employing psychological tactics to encourage consumer spending. The article highlights the societal implications of compulsive shopping and its roots in both personal behavior and corporate strategy, raising concerns among specialists about its growing prevalence.
Sadie, a compulsive shopper, hides $20,000 in debt from her family, illustrating how e-commerce exploits psychological triggers, worsening compulsive buying disorders.
Psychiatrists have observed that compulsive shopping has existed since at least 1899, but the modern rise of e-commerce has exacerbated the issue significantly.
The growth of e-commerce has enabled powerful psychological tools in retailers' strategies, transforming shopping into a gamified experience that entrenches compulsive spending.
Many experts are alarmed at the increasing rates of compulsive shopping, particularly due to e-commerce platforms like Temu, known for their addictive marketing techniques.
Read at www.nature.com
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