~Psychology Practice in Florida

Veblen coined the term “conspicuous consumption” to describe the behavior of the leisure class. One reason the leisure class does this is to prove that it can, and failure to do so is a sign of shame—an indication that one is cheap or miserly.  I am still waiting to have these problems in life.

John S. Auerbach, PhD

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 19, 2019, at 11:35 AM, Damon LaBarbera <00000051867784e1-dmarc-request@listserv.icors.org> wrote:

~Psychology Practice in Florida

As I think about updating technology (e.g. Ivy Pay) in my private practice, I realized that declining reimbursement over the years has been a motivator. As Thorsten Veblen said, 

 "All change in habits of life and of thought is irksome. The difference in this respect between the wealthy and the common run of mankind lies not so much in the motive which prompts to conservatism as in the degree of exposure to the economic forces that urge a change. The members of the wealthy class do not yield to the demand for innovation as readily as other men because they are not constrained to do so."

                                                            Theory of the Leisure Class

Happily, lower insurance reimbursement keeps me fit technologically. 

Another thing is comforting. Veblen argues that enjoying leisure is a mark of status. That is not too likely in this type of work. However, a person also enjoys high status if they have a "surrogate" enjoying leisure. Qualifying examples might be a child who has failed to launch an unemployable spouse, an unmotivated employee, or your own health provider who often takes exotic trips.

This old book is a classic in behavioral economics, though not identified such, being published in 1899. However, his logic is powerful. 

Damon L