Sosiologi Konsumsi 2

Summary

This lecture on 'sociology of consumption' explores how consumption behaviors are influenced by social interactions and societal structures. It examines the viewpoints of scholars like Sleter and Featherstone, who discuss consumption as both a physical and symbolic act. The lecture contrasts traditional paradigms of consumption, focused on fulfilling basic needs, with modern paradigms that include desires for status and personal satisfaction. The evolution of consumption is framed as a shift from survival-based to desire-driven actions, highlighting the complex social dynamics behind everyday consumption practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sociology of consumption is about understanding the relationship between individuals and society, focusing on interactions related to consumption behaviors.
• 😀 Consumption is not just about fulfilling basic needs but also involves complex social interactions, as individuals depend on each other for access to goods and services.
• 😀 According to the food chain theory, consumption in nature is an interconnected process where each organism depends on others to fulfill its needs.
• 😀 Humans do not follow the food chain but instead interact with each other in ways that fulfill consumption needs without directly consuming one another.
• 😀 Consumption involves both the use and disposal of goods, as demonstrated by the example of cutting down a tree to build a house, which is a form of consumption.
• 😀 Peter Featherstone's view on consumption emphasizes that humans engage in consumption not only for necessity but also for emotional satisfaction and fulfillment.
• 😀 The sociology of consumption explores how consumption behaviors affect society and how individuals are interconnected through their consumption practices.
• 😀 Sociology of consumption goes beyond eating or using basic goods; it examines the impact of these behaviors on social interactions and society as a whole.
• 😀 There are two paradigms in sociology of consumption: the traditional paradigm and the modern paradigm, which differ in their views on the purpose and scope of consumption.
• 😀 The traditional paradigm sees consumption as simply fulfilling basic needs, while the modern paradigm views consumption as fulfilling desires and seeking satisfaction beyond basic needs.
• 😀 In the modern paradigm, consumption is also about accumulating wealth and prestige, as seen in the example of purchasing a phone for status rather than utility.

Q & A

What is the focus of the second lecture in the Sociology of Consumption course?

The focus is on understanding the views of experts regarding Sociology of Consumption, as well as clarifying terms related to the topic.

What is the definition of Sociology of Consumption according to the transcript?

Sociology of Consumption is a branch of sociology that studies the relationships between individuals, society, and their environment in the context of consumption, focusing on interactions and interrelations that are reciprocal in nature.

How does consumption in the animal kingdom differ from human consumption?

In the animal kingdom, consumption follows a food chain where each species relies on another for sustenance. However, human consumption does not follow this food chain, as humans do not need to consume other humans or animals in a direct predator-prey relationship. Instead, human consumption is based on mutual exchange and need.

What is meant by the concept of 'Doms Return' in the transcript?

'Doms Return' refers to the interdependent relationships among humans, where each person relies on others to fulfill their consumption needs. For example, a rice farmer, onion farmer, and chili farmer depend on each other to produce and consume different goods.

How does Featherstone define consumption?

Featherstone defines consumption as an activity where individuals consume goods not only for practical use but also for destruction, as in the case of cutting down a tree for purposes other than food consumption. This consumption also includes activities like using resources to build homes or produce goods.

What role does human nature play in the process of consumption according to Featherstone?

Human nature, according to Featherstone, is inherently tied to consumption, which involves actions like destruction, use, and disposal of goods. Humans naturally have the desire to consume, whether it is to meet basic needs or satisfy deeper desires.

What distinguishes sociology of consumption from basic consumption?

Sociology of consumption goes beyond just the act of eating or using products; it studies how consumption affects social interactions, relationships, and societal structures. It is not just about fulfilling individual needs but also about the social impact of these actions.

What are the key differences between the old and new paradigms of consumption?

In the old paradigm, consumption was seen as a simple means to fulfill basic needs, like hunting for food or gathering resources. In the new paradigm, consumption is more complex, driven by desires for satisfaction, status, and fulfillment of tertiary needs, not just basic survival.

How does the old paradigm view the consumption of goods?

In the old paradigm, consumption is focused on fulfilling basic needs—such as food, shelter, and clothing—without much thought for accumulating wealth or seeking pleasure beyond immediate necessities.

How does the new paradigm change the approach to consumption?

The new paradigm views consumption as a way to achieve satisfaction beyond just basic needs, including social status, emotional fulfillment, and desires for luxury or leisure. People may purchase goods not for practical use but for the symbolic value they provide.