What are effects of gratification on our society
In business, we still have a strong need for rapid gratification. Indeed, they have turned it into an industry. The "need it now" mentality is what the business world feeds off of. Have you ever wondered why Amazon provides same-day delivery or why we are drawn to the "Buy Now" button on online retailers' websites?
Companies purposefully use our emotional purchasing behaviour by appealing to our need for rapid pleasure, from the food sector to the largest internet companies.
quick food, where meals are available through a drive-thru, and "fast fashion," where new trends arrive in stores every week, have both benefited from consumers' need for instant gratification.
It's a marketing tactic that encourages impulsive purchases by customers, pushing them to make purchases they may not have needed or planned.
But the consequences of quick pleasure go beyond empty pockets. Mental health specialists are growing more concerned about it, which is concerning given the age in which everything can be accessed with a click.
Chasing after instant gratification all the time can lead to tension and worry, particularly when our expectations aren't met by the realities of everyday life.
It's a Catch-22: although the dopamine high that comes from quick fulfilment can temporarily reduce stress, it frequently keeps us yearning for more all the time.
The expectation of quick feedback and pleasure can cause burnout and mental tiredness in a society where people are more and more "always on," where work emails are always accessible via phone notifications, and where FOMO is a serious concern.
Many of us deal with the high-stress reality of expecting rapid input and feeling the need to constantly plug in.
In particular, digital channels feed our craving for immediate satisfaction. For example, social media thrives on instantaneous feedback loops. Dopamine is released momentarily with each like, remark, and share on our post, which reinforces our actions and motivates us to look for more.
We may become dependent on these platforms and feel pressed for time, yearning for the immediate gratification and sense of community they provide.
Similar to how online gaming and streaming services have profited from our desire for rapid satisfaction, so too have news applications. They keep us interested and coming back for more by luring us in with instant benefits like points, access to fresh information, or real-time updates.
However, as they say, there can be risks along with excessive benefits. This compulsive drive for rapid gratification has the potential to stifle longer, more significant means of accomplishment.