ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Consumption (sociology)

Consumption in sociology means buying and using things. Just like how you use your toys, clothes, and food, grown-ups also buy and use many things like cars, phones, and furniture.

But when grown-ups buy new things, it's not just for fun. They also want to show off how much money or status they have. This is called social status. For example, when someone buys a fancy car or a big house, they want people to know they have a lot of money.

This idea of consumption is not just about buying things, it's also about how people feel when they use those things. Sometimes people use things to make themselves feel better, like when they buy new clothes to feel more confident. This is called emotional consumption.

But sometimes people buy things because they really need them, like buying food to eat or buying a coat to stay warm in winter. This is called functional consumption.

So, in summary, consumption means buying and using things like toys, clothes, and food. Grown-ups often buy things to show off their social status, to feel better emotionally or because they really need them.
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