J
self-defensive nature of materialism revealed here supports James’ argument that property is
an extension of the self, to be defended as one defends the self. Relationships of owning to
autonomy and to social status were not evident in the results of this study. In retrospect, a
better test of the status hypothesis might have been made if such verbs as be proud of and show
off had been included.
In conclusion, owning is not a unitary, precisely defined concept. The meaning of
ownership varies systematically, though in small measure, with motivational traits. It appears
that some aspects of ownership are indeed interpersonal. Clearly there is more to the property
relationship than just the owner and his goods.