George likes to go shopping at Best Buy when he is sad or depressed, and buying new electronics always makes him feel better. In America, many people, like George, find meaning in consumption. This is because America is a ________ culture.

Consumer culture is the culture that gives importance to the the buying of material goods in a capitalist economy. A person in this culture attains happiness by consuming goods. The person's self worth is measured by the ability to consume goods.

When the economy of America was booming there was practically no upper limit of consumption. This attitude however is changing presently.