Society and brain: A complementary approach to Thorstein Veblen’s conspicuous consumer based on Tibor Scitovsky’s neuropsychology

• Autores: Felipe Almeida
• Localización: Nova Economia, ISSN 0103-6351, Año 26, Nº. 2, 2016, págs. 347-367
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1590/0103-6351/2994
• Títulos paralelos:
  • A Sociedade e o cérebro: Uma abordagem complementar ao consumidor conspícuo de Thorstein Veblen com base na neuropsicológica de Tibor Scitovsky
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • English

    Abstract: The goal of this study is to complement Thorstein Veblen's conspicuous consumer approach to economics with Tibor Scitovsky's neuropsychological analysis. This is undertaken by exploring the psychological basis of both theories. Veblen's conspicuous consumer emulates the leisure class, which consumes what can be understood as the best goods of a society. These goods are associated with the concept of social satisfaction rather than physical satisfaction. Veblen's conspicuous consumer decision making is introduced here according to insights from the American pragmatic school of philosophy. On the other hand, Scitovsky introduced elements of neuropsychology to economics using an interdisciplinary approach that was understandable to economists as he sought a better comprehension of consumers' decision making. Scitovsky's psychological-economics approach was inspired by studies from Daniel Berlyne and Donald Hebb. In considering Scitovsky's approach, this study contributes to understanding the decision making of Veblen's conspicuous consumer.

  • português

    Resumo: O objetivo desse artigo é apresentar a abordagem neuropsicológica de Tibor Scitovsky como complementar ao consumidor conspícuo de Thorstein Veblen. Essa aproximação é realizada através da análise da base psicológica de ambas as teorias. O consumidor conspícuo de Veblen emula a classe ociosa que consome o que pode ser compreendido como os melhores bens presentes na sociedade. Essa lógica está mais associada a um conceito de satisfação social do que a uma satisfação física. Em busca de destacar o conteúdo psicológico do consumidor conspícuo de Veblen, esse artigo apresenta a tomada de decisão desse consumidor de acordo com a lógica da filosofia pragmática norte-americana. Por sua vez, Scitovsky introduziu elementos da neuropsicologia à economia através de uma abordagem interdisciplinar, compreensível pelos economistas, em busca de uma melhor compreensão da tomada de decisão do consumidor. A abordagem psicológico-econômica de Scitovsky foi inspirada pelos estudos de Daniel Berlyne e de Donald Hebb.

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