I am sure you have heard it before.
A watch collector saying: I love vintage watches- especially the hunt, the thrill of finding the perfect example. Or a car collector determined to find another rare Ferrari despite owning a dozen cars in his garage already. Why do humans collect things? Why are so many collectors obsessed with finding the next best thing? Why do collectors need to hold on to things and why do they accumulate?
I wanted to find out and ordered the copy of ‘Collecting: An unruly passion‘ by Werner Muensterberger (Muenster).
He looks at collecting from a psychological perspective and his findings are fascinating.
Lets face it. If your a collector- your likely obsessive about your things.
Many collectors (including myself) treat their collection of watches and cars or art not like objects but almost like a living being, a friend. Collecting is stimulating and can be immensely rewarding. Collecting is about making mistakes and learning from them – both essential lessons in life.
I admit with no hesitation: I am addicted to collecting. But I know I am not alone.
Many collectors are so obsessive about their collections, that it can often disrupt their social obligations, work and family.
The truth is that often serious collectors favour their things more than they do people. If you can relate to this, don’t worry, there is a psychological reasoning behind it. It is widely known that collecting is a pleasurable exercise. And humans by nature are attracted to pleasure.
However Muenster argues that collectors are motivated by much more than momentary pleasure. Indeed if a collectors pleasure was momentary he or she would be happy with one watch, one car, one piece of art or one handbag. Instead when a collector finds what he or she is after they repeat the exercise over and over again.
Muenster argues that repetition is mandatory for collectors. That is why more often than not, most collectors have more than just one or two of something. The reason why collectors repeat the ‘thrill or the hunt ‘of finding the next item is a form of ‘escape’ according to Muenster.
In looking at various collectors Muenster found that they often had traumatic experiences as a child and felt insecure and thus often find escape and refuge in terms of collecting objects later in life. Collectors often tend to create ‘artificial companions’ in the objects they collect (surely many car and watch collectors can relate here).
Furthermore Muenster argues, collectors often attach life like power to their objects which in turn make their owner feel special or different.
Again I could relate to what Muenster was saying.
Indeed reading Muensters book made me reflect on myself and I wondered if he might be on to something. I did some brainstorming and asked myself the following questions. Am I indeed a compulsive collector? Do I seek security in the objects I collect because I sometimes feel insecure like most collectors do according to Muenster? Do I collect things in order to escape my past? Did I experience insecurity as a child and have traumatic experiences like most collectors do?
While I will not reveal all the answers in this public post, I will admit that Muenster is indeed on to something.
The book – ‘Collecting: An unruly passion-psychological perspectives’ by Werner Muensterberger Princeton University Press 1994
