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Indexicality and the Verification Function of Irreplaceable Possessions: A Semiotic Analysis

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  • Grayson, Kent
  • Shulman, David

Abstract

Many researchers have noted that special possessions can represent personally relevant events, people, places, and values. Semiotics provides a useful theoretical base for understanding the representation processes that support these meanings. We apply the semiotic concept of indexicality to extend our understanding of how meanings are embedded in irreplaceable special possessions. The results of two empirical studies support the proposition that these possessions establish a semiotic linkage, which enables consumers to verify self-selected moments from their personal history. Our research also reemphasizes the value of semiotic frameworks as applied to research on possession ownership and sheds additional light on the value of authenticity to consumers. Copyright 2000 by the University of Chicago.

Suggested Citation

  • Grayson, Kent & Shulman, David, 2000. "Indexicality and the Verification Function of Irreplaceable Possessions: A Semiotic Analysis," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 27(1), pages 17-30, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jconrs:v:27:y:2000:i:1:p:17-30
    DOI: 10.1086/314306
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    Cited by:

    1. Mike Molesworth & Rebecca Watkins & Janice Denegri-Knott, 2016. "Possession Work on Hosted Digital Consumption Objects as Consumer Ensnarement," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(2), pages 246-261.
    2. Anna J. Vredeveld & Robin A. Coulter, 2019. "Cultural experiential goal pursuit, cultural brand engagement, and culturally authentic experiences: sojourners in America," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 274-290, March.
    3. De Hooge, Ilona E. & Straeter, Laura M., 2023. "Don't tell me you are sorry with a gift: The negative consequences of apology gifts," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    4. Nathalie Veg-Sala & Elyette Roux, 2018. "Cross-gender extension potential of luxury brands: a semiotic analysis," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 25(5), pages 436-448, September.
    5. Thomas M. Zellweger & Franz W. Kellermanns & James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua, 2012. "Family Control and Family Firm Valuation by Family CEOs: The Importance of Intentions for Transgenerational Control," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(3), pages 851-868, June.
    6. Högström, Claes & Tronvoll, Bård, 2012. "The enactment of socially embedded service systems: Fear and resourcing in the London Borough of Sutton," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 427-437.
    7. Davis, Robert & Sheriff, Kevin & Owen, Kim, 2019. "Conceptualising and measuring consumer authenticity online," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 17-31.
    8. repec:oup:jecgeo:v:50:y:2023:i:2:p:255-281. is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Walasek, Lukasz & Matthews, William J & Rakow, Tim, 2015. "The need to belong and the value of belongings: Does ostracism change the subjective value of personal possessions?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 195-204.
    10. Samuel Guillemot, 2018. "Intergenerational transmission in consumer behaviour: An integrative conceptual framework and future research directions," Post-Print hal-02466675, HAL.
    11. Robert Zniva & Wolfgang J. Weitzl & Christina Lindmoser, 2023. "Be constantly different! How to manage influencer authenticity," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1485-1514, September.
    12. Yin, Cheng-Yue & Poon, Patrick & Su, Jing-Lei, 2017. "Yesterday once more? Autobiographical memory evocation effects on tourists' post-travel purchase intentions toward destination products," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 263-274.
    13. Olga Stavrova & George E. Newman & Anna Kulemann & Detlef Fetchenhauer, 2016. "Contamination without contact: An examination of intention-based contagion," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 11(6), pages 554-571, November.
    14. repec:cup:judgdm:v:14:y:2019:i:5:p:565-572 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Denise DeLorme & George Zinkhan & Scott Hagen, 2004. "The Process of Consumer Reactions to Possession Threats and Losses in a Natural Disaster," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 185-199, December.
    16. repec:cup:judgdm:v:11:y:2016:i:6:p:554-571 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Masset, Julie & Decrop, Alain, 2016. "“God, I have so many ashtrays!” Dependences and dependencies in consumer–possession relationships," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(1), pages 94-109.
    18. Merrick Levene & Daisy Z. Hu & Ori Friedman, 2019. "The glow of grime: Why cleaning an old object can wash away its value," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 14(5), pages 565-572, September.
    19. Nathalie Veg-Sala & Elyette Roux, 2017. "Cross-gender extension potential of luxury brands: a semiotic analysis," Post-Print hal-01735487, HAL.
    20. Dehlen, Tobias & Zellweger, Thomas & Kammerlander, Nadine & Halter, Frank, 2014. "The role of information asymmetry in the choice of entrepreneurial exit routes," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 193-209.
    21. Guillard, Valérie, 2009. "La tendance de certains consommateurs à tout garder," Economics Thesis from University Paris Dauphine, Paris Dauphine University, number 123456789/5480 edited by Pinson, Christian.
    22. Graul, Antje R.H. & Brough, Aaron R. & Isaac, Mathew S., 2022. "How emotional attachment influences lender participation in consumer-to-consumer rental platforms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1211-1217.
    23. Motley, Carol M. & Henderson, Geraldine Rosa, 2008. "The global hip-hop Diaspora: Understanding the culture," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 61(3), pages 243-253, March.

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