Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior

A leading evolutionary psychologist probes the unconscious instincts behind American consumer culture.

Illuminating the hidden reasons for why we buy what we do, Spent applies evolutionary psychology to the sensual wonderland of marketing and perceived status that is American consumer culture. Geoffrey Miller starts with the theory that we purchase things to advertise ourselves to others, and then examines other factors that dictate what we spend money on. With humour and insight, Miller analyses an array of product choices and deciphers what our decisions say about ourselves, giving us access to a new way of understanding-and improving-our behaviours to become happier consumers.