A Study on the Actual Condition of Conspicuous Consumption of Clothing Mentioned in Newspaper Articles

신문기사에 나타난 복식의 과시적 소비수준분석

With rapid changes in social environments, the phenomena of consumption emerge as diverse forms in Korea-excessive consumption, impulsive consumption, imitative consumption, conspicuous consumption, obsessive consumption, etc. Especially, this researcher is interested in how conspicuous consumption of clothing has been reported in newspaper articles. Therefore, the present study is trying to infer reasons for the actual conditions of prevalent conspicuous consumption of clothing in Korean society since the 1980's. Articles in the newspaper from 1991 to 1996 have been studied to provide for study. The rapid industrialization of Korea since the 1960's has led to serious social competition and stratification. For this reason there has been a rise in the relative deprivation and alienation of low-income classes. Hence, they tend to consume clothing conspicuously in order to reduce their complex against wealthy classes. In addition, the improvement of income levels has led to a change in values towards consumption, and materialism. These changes in values along with mass communication are the main factors affecting conspicuous consumption of clothing. Finally, the present study concludes that the state of conspicuous consumption of clothing is based more on the socio-constructive dimension than the personal dimension. Further study of conspicuous consumption of clothing need to focus on the socio-constructive dimension. But because this study only infers the reasons for conspicuous consumption of clothing in terms of constructive dimension, our findings suggest further need for much more detailed and experimental discussion on the issue. The concrete reasons need to be explored in further research.