Experiential Consumption and Personal Introspection
Summary
Experiential consumption refers to the growing tendency of individuals to seek memorable events, activities or services rather than material possessions. In this paradigm, the act of consuming is inseparable from the emotional, cognitive and social responses it elicits. As consumers increasingly prioritise authenticity, meaning and personal growth, experiential offerings—from immersive travel and live performances to multisensory retail environments—have become vehicles for self‐discovery. Personal introspection emerges when such experiences prompt individuals to reflect on their values, identities and life trajectories. This reflective turn has global significance: it informs marketing strategies that foster long‐term loyalty, encourages well‐being through mindful engagement and influences public policy on cultural and leisure sectors. Moreover, experiential consumption can catalyse social cohesion when shared narratives and communal meaning are formed, yet it also raises questions about equity of access and sustainability. Understanding this duality requires an interdisciplinary lens, drawing on psychology, sociology and consumer research to map how experiences shape inner lives and, in turn, how introspective insights guide future consumption choices.
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Experiential Consumption and Personal Introspection publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in experiential consumption and personal introspection across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Experiential consumption: Consumption prioritising subjective experience and emotional engagement over acquisition of material goods.
Personal introspection: Reflective examination of one’s own thoughts, feelings and values prompted by consumption experiences.
Experience value: The perceived worth of a consumption activity across dimensions such as aesthetics, playfulness and service quality.
Flow experience: A psychological state of deep immersion and enjoyment where challenges and skills are balanced.
Serendipity: The occurrence of unexpected, meaningful discoveries during consumption that foster a sense of connection and self‐insight.
References
- Research on the influence of consumer experience value on flow experience. BCP Business & Management (2022).
- Understanding serendipity in buying behavior. Annals of Business Administrative Science (2022).
- How could basic sensory education free consumers from experts' influence to appreciate complex food products? The case of wine. Science Talks (2022).
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