Does the way you think and look at the world contribute to being materialistic? Epistemic style, metaphysics, and their influence on materialism and wellbeing

Abstract

Research has consistently indicated that higher levels of materialism are associated with reduced wellbeing. Currently, no studies have examined the underlying epistemic or metaphysical factors that may contribute to materialism and wellbeing.The current study used structural equation modelling to investigate the indirect influence of epistemic style and holistic/mechanistic perspectives on wellbeing via materialism and regulation. The first study (n=397) indicated that an epistemic orientation towards complex (i.e., Intellective Position) rather than expedient, effortless (i.e., Default Position) thinking was directly associated with reduced materialism, which resulted in greater autonomous regulation, and subsequently to increased wellbeing. These findings were replicated in a second study (n=214), which also suggested that higher levels of holism were indirectly associated with increased wellbeing.