American Psychological Association, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3(83), p. 725-734, 2002
DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.83.3.725
American Psychological Association, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3(83), p. 725-734
DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.83.3.725
Full text: Download
In 3 studies, the authors tested the predictors of income satisfaction, examining whether discrepanc between the things people have and the things they desire predict satisfaction. Study 1 manipulated the desirability of items that can be purchased with participants' income, and showed that their satisfaction with that income depended on the desirability of these items. Study 2 demonstrated that whether people's income enabled them to purchase the things they desired influenced their satisfaction with income. Study 3 found that the effect of comparisons with a person's past on income satisfaction is completely mediated by one's desires; and the effect of social comparison on income satisfaction is partially mediated by desires. Thus, desires play a pivotal role in determining people's satisfaction with income.