Why One Purchase Often Leads To Another - The Diderot Effect

Have you ever wondered how you can buy one thing, but it inevitably leads to needing more things to make the first purchase valid or useable?

Today we are going to share with you what could be the reason behind these purchases just seem to multiply.

Since we at A Step Above Style value your time (and because you already know why you’re here) we’ll jump right in.

Let’s begin.

The Diderot Effect Explained

One way to explain the Diderot effect is found below:

“When a person buys one new item it often leads to another purchase, and another”.

A example can be that of a man purchasing a new suit.

After receiving the suit he will likely see that he wants to wear the new suit with new shoes.

He then will want to wear the new shoes with new socks, because it’s silly to wear them with old tattered socks right?

A new tie will also bring the entire ensemble together, and so on.

“I was absolute master of my old dressing gown,but I have become a slave to my new one”.
Denis Diderot

Recognize it when it’s potentially happening
Buy things for function rather than aesthetics
Understand the goal of advertising and sales people is to get you to spend more

Beware lest the things you own grow to now own you.

We hope you learned something new in today’s post.

There is an interesting relationship between producers (stores and brands) and consumers (you and I ).

When you understand their goal (and yours) it helps you remain aligned and on track for success and happiness.

Until next time, y’all have a good one.