To Retain or To Relinquish: Exploring the Disposition Practices of Packrats and Purgers

Authors

Robin A. Coulter
Mark S. Ligas, Fairfield UniversityFollow

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2003

Abstract

In this paper, we consider packrats and purgers. Packrats are people who from a behavioral perspective, keep things and from a psychological perspective have difficulty disposing of things. Purgers seem to continually take stock in whether items are needed, and if not, typically are quite willing to dispose of them. Based on data from semi-structured depth interviews, we distinguish between packrats’ and purgers’ perceptions of themselves and each other, as well as their disposition strategies and behaviors, and emotional responses. We offer suggestions for future research in this neglected domain.

Comments

Copyright 2003 Association for Consumer Research

Publication Title

Advances in Consumer Research

Repository Citation

Coulter, Robin A. and Ligas, Mark S., "To Retain or To Relinquish: Exploring the Disposition Practices of Packrats and Purgers" (2003). Business Faculty Publications. 76.
https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/business-facultypubs/76

Published Citation

Coulter, Robin A. and Mark Ligas (2003), “To Retain or To Relinquish: Exploring the Disposition Practices of Packrats and Purgers,” Advances in Consumer Research, Vol. 30, Punam Anand Keller and Dennis W. Rook, eds., Valdosta, GA: Association for Consumer Research, 38-43.