The brain science behind spending

Posted at 1:25 PM on November 16, 2007 by Julia Schrenkler

From the American RadioWorks Tightwads and Spendthrifts feature description:

New brain science suggests there's a biological basis for the way each of us shops. It appears that people feel pleasure when they shop and pain when they pay.

Well that might explain the nature, but I have to wonder about the nurture aspect. How much of spending stems from emotional needs? While shopping you're surrounded with people, you're probably having a very positive social interaction with a salesperson, and the cashier always congratulates you on a purchase. That's a lot of affirmation for people, but is it cheap therapy?

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