More than two in five Americans (43%) say they are driven to accumulate nice things. More than half (55%) disagree and 2% are not sure. Similarly, 43% say shopping makes them feel worth it, 55% disagree and 3% are unsure.

Slightly fewer judge their progress based on the accumulation of high-quality goods. Two in five people (41%) think they progress when they have nice things, 56% disagree and 3% are unsure.

Far fewer Americans (16%) admit that it bothers them when their friends have nicer things than they do. More than four in five (82%) disagree and 1% are unsure.

“Although few people buy things that match or exceed what their friends own, it’s likely that the new things people want are taught to them by their friends,” McConnell said. “Searching for more, better and newer is enjoyable for many, but it is also common for people to eventually exit the cycle of consumption, especially at a stage of life when they are comparatively wealthier.”

Overall, adults under 50 and those who attend church more than once a week are more likely to fall into the consumer mindset. Conversely, women, people 65 and older, those who do not hold evangelical beliefs, and those who attend church less often are less likely to be consumerists.

The younger a person is, the more likely they are to admit that they like having the latest technology, that they are driven to accumulate nice things, and that they are troubled when their friends have nicer things. Additionally, those under 35 are among the most likely to say that shopping makes them feel worthwhile (69%) and that they know they are progressing when they have nice things ( 57%).

Attendance at religious services is correlated with adopting a consumerist mindset. Those who participate more than once a week are most likely to say that shopping makes them feel worthwhile (61%) and that they know they are making progress when they have good things (56%). They are also among the most likely to say they are motivated to accumulate nice things (61%) and to enjoy having the latest technology (55%).

“The most devout practitioners of faith are generally better able to avoid vices. Yet we find that those who attend religious services most often are also the most likely to want to overindulge in consuming good things,” McConnell said.

Yet Protestants are among the least likely to agree with several consumerist statements, including that they like having the latest technology (43%), that shopping makes them feel worth it (39 %), that they know they are progressing when they have nice things (37%) and they are troubled by the fact that their friends have better things (16%). They are also the most likely to disagree with the idea that they are driven to accumulate nice things (63%).

Satisfied state of mind

Most Americans think they have enough stuff, but they wouldn’t mind having more of what they need to buy more.

When they look in their closets, most American adults think they’re OK. Four in five (81%) say they have enough clothes and shoes, 18% disagree and 1% are unsure. Additionally, 4 in 5 (80%) say they have enough entertainment in their lives, while 19% disagree and 1% aren’t sure.