Science of Emotion and Sensibility (감성과학)

Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility (한국감성과학회)
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Minimalism, Social Values and Happiness

미니멀리즘, 사회적 가치와 행복의 관계

  • 신홍임 (순천대학교 교양교육원 자유전공학부)
  • Received : 2022.05.31
  • Accepted : 2022.08.01
  • Published : 2022.12.31
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Abstract

Minimalism is an increasingly popular lifestyle in which people deliberately seek to live with fewer possessions. However, little scientific research has been done to examine the relationships between minimalism, social value, and happiness. Two recent studies have investigated whether critical components of minimalism, such as subtraction and decluttering could lead to changes in social values and happiness. In Study 1, the participants were presented with pictures of unstable Lego structures for which they were asked to create ideas to resolve problems, either through adding new supports or removing the existing ones. Participants with a stronger tendency to use subtractive transformations reported higher happiness scores. In addition, higher scores in intrinsic value preferences were correlated with higher levels of happiness. In Study 2, cuing minimalism or consumerism using pictures led to changes in materialistic values, motivation for social engagement, and reported happiness scores. These results imply that minimalism as an alternative lifestyle can contribute to social wellbeing and increased happiness. Limitations and implications for future studies are discussed.

최근 주목받고 있는 미니멀리즘은 더 적은 소유에 대해 심사숙고하는 삶의 방식이다. 그러나 지금까지 미니멀리즘의 이득에 대해 학문적으로 검증한 연구가 거의 수행되지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 미니멀리즘에서 소유를 줄이는 방식이 사회적 가치 및 주관적 행복감과 어떤 관계에 있는지를 분석하려 한다. 연구 1에서는 참가자들에게 비대칭 도형 사진을 제시하고, 버리기 또는 추가의 방식으로 안정감있는 대칭구조로 변환하는 과제를 수행하도록 하였다. 그 결과 버리기의 방식을 많이 사용한 참가자일수록 주관적 행복감이 더 높게 나타났다. 또한 주관적 행복감이 높을수록 내면적 가치추구경향이 더 높게 나타났다. 연구 2에서는 소비지향 또는 미니멀리즘과 연관된 자극을 제시한 후, 물질주의 추구경향, 주관적 행복감 및 사회적 봉사활동의 참여의향을 측정하였다. 그 결과 미니멀리즘이 유도된 조건에서 소비지향의 조건보다 물질주의 추구경향이 더 낮게 나타났다. 또한 버리기의 방식을 자주 사용할수록 주관적 행복감 및 사회적 활동의 참여의향이 더 높게 나타났다. 이 결과는 적게 소유하는 미니멀리즘이 사회적 삶과 행복감을 변화시키는 대안적 삶의 방식이 될 수 있음을 시사한다. 논의에서는 연구의 한계 및 후속연구의 방향을 다루었다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 2022년 순천대학교 교연비 연구사업에 의해 지원되었음.

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