VALS Categories

My primary VALs category was an experiencer. An experiencer by definition is "Young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers" and "Experiencers are avid consumers and spend a comparatively high proportion of their income on fashion, entertainment, and socializing". I think this definition fits me perfectly. A large portion of my weekly paychecks are resulted in clothing whether it is purchases online or at a store. I am a very impulsive consumer. I am easily persuaded by advertising for a need for a particular product. What is left over from my paycheck I do spend on socializing, whether it's dinner out or going to the movies. I think the VALs survey definitely identified me as an experiencer correctly.

My secondary VALS category was an innovator. An innovator by definition is "successful, sophisticated, take-charge people with high self-esteem" and "Image is important to Innovators, not as evidence of status or power but as an expression of their taste, independence, and personality". I think right now, I am not quite an innovator because I am not yet in the workforce. I think this VALs category is what I will potentially want to strive for when I enter the business world and begin working.

My Prizm, Home Sweet Home

When you think of Amherst, New Hampshire, you definitely would not be reminded of the hustle of a big city. This small New England town is Historic as well as quaint. Many families have moved here to start a family in the renowned school system and partake in the community activities. Amherst was known for being predominately a mix of Historic homes known as the "Town Village" with a mix of contemporary homes of people who have come to start the next chapter in their life--a family. I believe that my childhood was definitely apart of the Home Sweet Home prism because it was very upper-middle class filled with Doctors and Teachers who enjoyed the relaxed suburban atmosphere. I promise that we have paved roads and no farms in sight of this town, but more annual Christmas Tree Lighting's and the biggest Trick or Treat celebration you will ever see. This was definitely a town where everyone knew your name!

Possession and Identity

Something that has great meaning to me would be a ring that I always were on my ring finger. Not only is this ring something special to me, but I would literally be lost without it. I feel very incomplete when I don't wear this ring. My mom bought it for me for Christmas when I was 13. It was somewhat of a mother daughter moment when my mom brought me to Boston to the Prudential Center Tiffany's where I could pick out this special ring. I remember the day just like I will always remember the significance of my mom giving me the ring. This ring is one of my prize possessions no matter how scratched it is. I signify this ring with the sense of identity of a mom and a daughter and something I will always hold true to my heart.

Priming

My boyfriend and his family recently moved to Cape Cod over the course of this year. Prior to this we lived in the same town back in New Hampshire. When his family moved to the Cape, the changed all their license plates from New Hampshire to Cape Cod plates. These Cape plates are different from those of Massachusetts license plates because they have a distinctive yellow color and say "Cape Cod and the Islands." Down in Wellfleet where he now resides, anyone with a Cape plates waves to each other because they are locals of the area and not tourists who overcrowd the area for many months out of the year. I did not recognize the different license plates or the waving until one day when I drove his car. I was in Rhode Island and two cars who also had Cape plates waved to me. I was unaware of why this kept happening until I got out of the car and noticed the plates. Now every time I drive I am more aware of Cape plates and wave when I drive his car.