Thesis
Limeans constructing identity through food consumption: a Peruvian test of economic models of behavior
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2010
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102517
Abstract
This paper investigates Limean consumption behavior in relation to brands, food market preference, costs, districts, and social participation. Extensive ethnographic data including semistructured interviews, informant purchase logs, and free lists were collected from thirty-eight informants located in thirteen different districts throughout Lima, Peru during a two month period. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted using categorical and quantitative variables. Qualitative data collected from interviews is also used to support quantitative analysis. Results were interpreted according to three models of food consumption behavior: self-interest model, social model, and commodity fetishism. Findings suggest that informants participate in some form of socially induced food consumption behavior, which is influenced by income, residence as a child, preference for quality foods over price, and store design. These factors suggest that a middle class population does not act as rational actors within consumer capitalism and use food as a form of identity.
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Details
- Title
- Limeans constructing identity through food consumption
- Creators
- Rhonda Crate
- Contributors
- Courtney L. Meehan (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525161301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis