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Buying Life Experiences for the “Right” Reasons: A Validation of the Motivations for Experiential Buying Scale

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  • Jia Zhang
  • Ryan Howell
  • Peter Caprariello

Abstract

Although numerous studies have demonstrated the hedonic benefits of spending money on life experiences instead of material possessions, there has been no attempt to determine how different motivations for experiential consumption relate to psychological need satisfaction and well-being. Across five studies (N = 931), guided by self-determination theory, we developed a reliable and valid measure of motivation for experiential consumption—the Motivation for Experiential Buying Scale—to test these relations. Those who spend money on life experience for autonomous reasons (e.g., “because they are an integral part of my life”) report more autonomy, competence, relatedness, flourishing, and vitality; however, those who spend money on life experiences for controlled (e.g., “for the recognition I’ll get from others”) or amotivated reasons (e.g., “I don’t really know”) reported less autonomy, competence, and relatedness. These results demonstrated that the benefits of experiential consumption depend on why one buys life experiences. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Jia Zhang & Ryan Howell & Peter Caprariello, 2013. "Buying Life Experiences for the “Right” Reasons: A Validation of the Motivations for Experiential Buying Scale," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 817-842, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:14:y:2013:i:3:p:817-842
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-012-9357-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ryan Howell & David Chenot & Graham Hill & Colleen Howell, 2011. "Momentary Happiness: The Role of Psychological Need Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Leonardo Nicolao & Julie R. Irwin & Joseph K. Goodman, 2009. "Happiness for Sale: Do Experiential Purchases Make Consumers Happier than Material Purchases?," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 36(2), pages 188-198.
    3. Ed Diener & Derrick Wirtz & William Tov & Chu Kim-Prieto & Dong-won Choi & Shigehiro Oishi & Robert Biswas-Diener, 2010. "New Well-being Measures: Short Scales to Assess Flourishing and Positive and Negative Feelings," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 97(2), pages 143-156, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bosangit, Carmela & Demangeot, Catherine, 2016. "Exploring reflective learning during the extended consumption of life experiences," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(1), pages 208-215.
    2. Lee, Seonjeong Ally & Oh, Haemoon, 2017. "Sharing travel stories and behavioral outcomes: A case of travel," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 147-158.

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