What are the reasons for uncontrolled and addictive buying behavior?
As part of the research project funded by the Klaus Tschira Foundation, the neurological and neuropsychological basis of uncontrolled and "addictive" buying behavior is being investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). To date, there are no published studies on the neurological basis of uncontrolled and "addictive" buying behavior (as of January 2009, literature search in various scientific databases, e.g. EBSCO, Psyndex).
In recent years, the topic of uncontrolled and "addictive" buying behavior has received a great deal of attention from the scientific community (e.g. medicine, psychology, economics) and the public. This is due to the increasing prevalence and negative consequences of this behavior for those affected and for society (e.g. debt, over-indebtedness). While there have been numerous studies on the influence of upbringing, self-esteem, impulse control, socialization, the role of advertising and the importance of consumption in a society with regard to uncontrolled and "addictive" purchasing behaviour, there is still a lack of well-founded neurological and neuropsychological research. Findings in this area could make an important contribution to explaining the causes of this behavior and developing effective and preventive measures (e.g. promoting financial and consumer skills).
Significant research work on uncontrolled and "addictive" buying behavior has been carried out and published since the end of the 1980s under the direction and collaboration of Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab (see publications). Preliminary work on the planned research project funded by the Klaus Tschira Foundation has been underway since 2008 in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Christian Elger and Dr. Bernd Weber (University Hospital of the University of Bonn). The research project is being carried out in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Christian Elger and Dr. Bernd Weber.