As part of the exhibition "Pure Luxury" from September 10, 2019 to April 13, 2020 of the Foundation House of History of the Federal Republic of Germany - Forum of Contemporary History, research on the field of impulsive (uncontrolled) and pathological (addictive) buying behavior by Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab will be presented.
In Germany today, luxury is seemingly always and everywhere accessible in view of globalization and media networking. Many use the possibilities for self-expression, some provoke envy and indignation with it. Is luxury a symptom of our time? Does luxury widen the gap between rich and poor? Is less perhaps more? These questions accompany the history of luxury and show it as a phenomenon that moves society: as a sign of social status, as an indicator of wealth and an economic factor, as an expression of lifestyles and as the epitome of inequality.
In seven thematic areas, the exhibition is devoted to various notions of luxury, both from a historical perspective and with a view to the present: from material examples such as cars, jewelry and fashion, to immaterial needs such as time, tranquility or security, to lifestyles that consciously forgo luxury and consumption.
The consideration of Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab's research work in the context of the exhibition "Pure Luxury" of the Foundation Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Zeitgeschichtliches Forum may be seen as a proof of the efficiency of the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences (HWG) in the field of research. Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab is regarded nationally and internationally as one of the leading scientists in the field of research on impulsive (uncontrolled) and pathological (addictive) buying behavior. The representative studies on the development and spread of impulsive (uncontrolled) and pathological (addictive) buying behavior in Germany, which have been conducted under his cooperation and leadership since 1989, are considered to be the most comprehensive studies (data) on this research area worldwide. In addition, the first studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and biofeedback on this were conducted under his leadership.
For more information on the exhibition and the research or publications, please visit: