Primary: Experiencer: Defined as an individual who is motivated by self expression, young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool. They seek variety and excitement, savoring the new, the offbeat, and the risky. Their energy finds an outlet in exercise, sports, outdoor recreation, and social activities.
Secondary: Innovator: Successful, sophisticated, take-charge people with high self-esteem. Because they have such abundant resources, they exhibit all three primary motivations in varying degrees. They are change leaders and are the most receptive to new ideas and technologies. Innovators are very active consumers, and their purchases reflect cultivated tastes for upscale, niche products and services.
After completing the VALS survey and reflecting on the results, I began reading through all of the other categories in which people fall into. I was surprised to see that my results were spot on with my personality. I often if not always am motivated by self expression. Over the years clothes have seemed to define my life. I express mood and personality through style and fashion. I am motivated by the thrill of new and exciting opportunities and believe sports and exercise to be a part of my everyday life.
I can also identify myself as an innovator in many ways. After my summer internship I believe to demonstrate leadership qualities that I never knew existed within me before. I am able to lead by example while motivating others and managing talent in order to accomplish a given task. This personality trait is often seen in relation to my consumption. When purchasing new products, I strive to find the newest and most up to date wears. I love trendy, yet unique pieces that can be paired with anything no matter the occasion.
When looking at the VALS survey as a whole, it is easy to see how culture plays a huge role in determining the outcome in results. Referring back to McCrackens Reading we can see that "The model of consumption says that the world of goods is a cultural construction and that culture is constantly being played out in goods. The ideational and material aspects of the world are intimately linked in ways that we understand and in ways that we are only beginning to understand. Cultural meanings, those in goods and those outside of them, make up the cultural context of consumption." This goes to show that the way one is raised is a direct influence on the outcome of the VALS survey results. When breaking down and relating this to my family as a whole, I believe that my sister and I would both be categorizes as experiences and innovators, mainly because of what we consider to be our culture.
A very nice reflection on the fit between you and the VALS categories. This post also nicely captures a very relevant passage from the McCracken reading.
ReplyDeleteWhat's missing is your reflection on that reading. Yes, the way we are raised certainly is part of one's "culture." The question that needs to be addressed, though, is the relationship between consumption and our project that McCracken addresses in the reading.
I actually believe that you've unknowingly addressed that topic in the discussion about the role of fashion in your life -- and in the point about your internship reinforcing your perception that you are a good leader. The post just needs to make the connection between these thoughts and McCracken's argument more clear.
We'll discuss these topics in class. Stay tuned.