Normal Shopping v. Shopping Addiction
So what makes the difference between normal shopping, occasional splurges,
and shopping addiction? As with all addictions, shopping becomes the person's
main way of coping with stress, to the point where they continue to shop
excessively even when it is clearly having a negative impact on other areas of
their life. As with other addictions, finances and relationships are damaged, yet
the shopping addict feels unable to stop or even control their spending.
The Controversy of Shopping Addiction
Like other behavioral addictions, shopping addiction is a controversial idea.
There is some disagreement among professionals about whether compulsive
shopping should be considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),
impulse control disorder (like pathological gambling), mood disorder (like
depression), or addiction. It has been suggested that, along with kleptomania
(compulsive stealing) and binge-eating disorder (BED), it be viewed as an
impulsive-compulsive spectrum disorder.
How Is Shopping Addiction Like Other Addictions?
There are several characteristics that shopping addiction shares with other
addictions. As with other addictions, shopping addicts become preoccupied with
spending, and devote significant time and money to the activity. Actual
spending is important to the process of shopping addiction; window shopping
does not constitute an addiction, and the addictive pattern is actually driven by
the process of spending money.
As with other addictions, shopping addiction is highly ritualized and follows a
typically addictive pattern of thoughts about shopping, planning shopping trips,
and the shopping act itself, often described as pleasurable, ecstatic even, and
as providing relief from negative feelings. Finally, the shopper crashes, with
feelings of disappointment.
What If I Have a Shopping Addiction?
Fortunately, although not yet well-researched, compulsive shopping does
appear to respond well to a range of treatments, including medications, self-
help books, self-help groups, financial counseling, and cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT). It should be noted, however, that although some medications
show promise, results are mixed, so they should not be considered a sole or
reliable treatment.
FONTE:
Adapted
from:
http://addictions.about.com/od/lesserknownaddictions/a/shoppingadd.htm.
Accessed in: March 2016. (Fotografia) Laurence Dutton/Stone/Getty Images
107
READING FOR GENERAL COMPREHENSION
What is the main purpose of the text? Choose the correct item that answers this
question. Write the answer in your notebook.
a. To give the reader general information about shopping addiction.
b. To argue against the idea that compulsive shopping is an addiction.
c. To point out differences between shopping addiction and other behavioral
addictions.
Resposta correta: a
READING FOR DETAILED COMPREHENSION
1. Match each subheading below to its main idea. Write the answers in your
notebook as in the following example.
Example. a. II
First column:
a. Normal Shopping v. Shopping Addiction
b. The Controversy of Shopping Addiction
c. How Is Shopping Addiction Like Other Addictions?
d. What If I Have a Shopping Addiction?
Second column:
I. The different views about compulsive shopping.
II. The difference between two shopping behaviors.
III. The treatment for people with shopping addiction.
IV. The similarities between shopping addiction and other addictions.
Resposta: b. I; c. IV; d. III
2. Replace each ____ with a word or expression from the text to complete the
following sentences. Write the answers in your notebook.
a. Compulsive shopping, also known as shopping addiction, is a ____
behavioral addiction.
Resposta: socially-reinforced
b. Every day we are bombarded by ____ encouraging us to spend more and
more.
Resposta: advertising
c. Shopping addiction was first cited as a ____ early in the 20
th
century.
Resposta: psychiatric disorder
d. Addicts shop excessively because they believe it is a way of ____.
Resposta: coping with stress
3. Answer the following questions in your notebook.
a. When does shopping addiction usually begin?
Resposta: (It usually begins) in the late teens and early adulthood.
b. Does window shopping constitute an addiction? Why (not)?
Resposta: No, it doesn't. The addictive pattern is actually driven by the process
of spending money.
c. What are some examples of treatment for shopping addiction?
Resposta: Medications, self-help books, self-help groups, financial counseling,
and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
d. What are some possible negative effects of shopping addiction?
Resposta: Finances and relationships can be damaged.
FONTE: wrangler/Shutterstock
4. Go back to the text on page 106 and find three characteristics that shopping
addiction shares with other addictions. Write the answer in your notebook.
Atenção professor: Ao corrigir o exercício 4, destaque a importância de o leitor
estar atento a expressões que sugerem a enumeração de itens (tais como
several characteristics) de modo que, durante a leitura, ele possa identificar os
itens a que essas expressões se referem e, assim, compreender melhor as
ideias do texto. Fim da observação.
Atenção professor: Comente com os alunos que a expressão as with other
addictions é usada três vezes no texto, reforçando as semelhanças entre o
vício em compras e outros vícios. Fim da observação.
Suggested answers: Addicts devote significant time and money to the
activity./Addicts become preoccupied with the activity./Addictions are highly
ritualized./Addictions follow a typically addictive pattern of thoughts./Addictive
activities are often described as pleasurable and as providing relief from
negative feelings./Addictions bring feelings of disappointment.
108
5. In the following fragments, what do the pronouns in bold refer to? Choose the
correct answers (▲ or ■). Write the answers in your notebook.
a. "... it is clearly having a negative impact on other areas of their life."
(paragraph 5)
Pronoun in bold: it.
▲ shopping
■ stress
Resposta: ▲
b. "... so they should not be considered a sole or reliable treatment." (paragraph
9)
Pronoun in bold: they.
▲ some medications
■ results
Resposta: ▲
READING FOR CRITICAL THINKING
Discuss the following questions with your classmates.
a. Do you think people's attitudes towards shopping are influenced by the rise of
consumerism, materialism and advertising? If so, how?
b. In your opinion, can shopping be a way of coping with stress? Do you know
many people who go shopping to feel good when things aren't quite right? What
do you think about this behavior?
Personal answers.
VOCABULARY STUDY
IDIOMS
Boxe complementar:
TIP: O uso de expressões idiomáticas torna a linguagem mais atraente e
interessante. Ao conhecê-las e usá-las, enriquecemos nossa comunicação.
Fim do complemento.
1. Expressions like go window shopping (meaning 'look at things in store
windows, without actually buying anything') are sometimes difficult to
understand because their meaning is different from the meanings of the
separate words. Expressions like this are called idioms. Match the idioms below
with their correct definitions. Write the answers in your notebook.
First column:
a. shop 'til you drop
b. like a bull in a china shop
c. shop around
Second column:
I. Visit a number of stores selling similar goods in order to compare the prices.
II. Go shopping for a very long time, until you are exhausted.
III. Behaving without care; a reckless person in a room full of fragile things.
Resposta: a. II; b. III; c. I
FONTE: Sirayama/Arquivo da editora
2. Replace each ____ with an idiom from exercise 1 to complete the sentences
below. Write the answers in your notebook.
a. They always ____ for the most competitive deals.
Resposta: shop around
b. He's ____ when it comes to dealing with people's feelings. He often offends
his friends and workmates.
Resposta: like a bull in a china shop
c. Don't ____ or you will end up spending all your money.
Resposta: shop 'til you drop
109
DISCOURSE MARKERS
Boxe complementar:
TIP: Note que a conjunção however (entretanto) é separada do restante da
frase por vírgulas.
Fim do complemento.
3. Read the fragments below. Then copy the following table in your notebook
and choose the
appropriate items (▲ or ■) to complete it.
Box:
I. As with all addictions, shopping becomes the person's main way of coping
with stress... (paragraph 5)
II. ...yet the shopping addict feels unable to stop or even control their spending.
(paragraph 5)
III. Like other behavioral addictions, shopping addiction is a controversial idea.
(paragraph 6)
IV. It should be noted, however, that (...) results are mixed... (paragraph 9)
End of box.
Tabela: equivalente textual a seguir.
In
fragment...
the
discourse
marker...
expresses...
and
it
is
equivalent to...
I
As
▲ cause
■ comparison
▲ Because
■ Like
II
yet
▲ opposition
■ addition
▲ but
■ as well as
III
Like
▲
exemplification
■ comparison
▲ For example
■ As
IV
however
▲ concession
■ opposition
▲ even though
■ nevertheless
Resposta: I. comparison/Like; II. opposition/but; III. Comparison/As; IV.
opposition/nevertheless
4. Replace each ____ with a discourse marker from exercise 3 to complete the
sentences below. Write the answers in your notebook.
a. Compulsive shopping ____ any other kind of addiction needs treatment.
Resposta: as/like
b. Almost everyone shops to some degree, ____ only a small percentage of the
population can be considered shopping addicts.
Resposta: yet/but
c. Shopping addiction shares several characteristics with other addictions.
____, it is still a controversial idea.
Resposta: However/Nevertheless
5. Now copy the Discourse Markers box (on page 171) on a special page in
your notebook and complete it with what you have learned. Notice that this box
is used in other units.
WORD FORMATION
Atenção professor: Oriente os alunos a copiar em seus cadernos o quadro
sobre Discourse Markers (que está na página 171) e a registrar nesse quadro o
que aprenderam sobre marcadores discursivos nesta unidade. Destaque que
esse quadro será utilizado em outras unidades para que eles registrem outros
conteúdos sobre marcadores discursivos de modo a completarem o quadro
gradativamente ao longo do ano letivo. Utilizar uma folha ao final do caderno
pode facilitar esse trabalho. Fim da observação.
6. Replace each ____ with a word from the text on page 106 to complete the
following definitions. Write the answers in your notebook.
a. ____ (3
rd
paragraph)
( noun) a disturbance in physical or mental health; an irregularity
Resposta: disorder
b. ____ (6
th
paragraph)
( noun) when people have a different opinion about something
Resposta: disagreement
c. ____ (4
th
paragraph)
( verb) to appear together in sequence or simultaneously
Resposta: co-occur
d. ____ (5
th
paragraph)
( adjective) lacking the skills or opportunity to do something
Resposta: unable
110
7. Use the same prefixes found in words from exercise 6 to form new words, as
in the example below. Copy the following tables in your notebook. Replace each
green ____ with the appropriate prefix and each black ____ with an appropriate
word.
Tabela: equivalente textual a seguir.
Tabela: equivalente textual a seguir.
Tabela: equivalente textual a seguir.
8. In your notebook, write two sentences about your attitudes towards shopping.
Work with a classmate. Use at least two words with prefixes from exercises 6 or
7.
Personal answers.
9. Now copy the Word Formation box (on page 170) on a special page in your
notebook and complete it with what you have learned. Notice that this box is
used in other units.
Atenção professor: Oriente os alunos a copiar em seus cadernos o quadro
sobre Word Formation (que está na página 170) e a registrar nesse quadro o
que aprenderam sobre prefixos nesta unidade. Destaque que esse quadro será
utilizado em outras unidades para que eles registrem outros conteúdos sobre
afixos de modo a completarem o quadro gradativamente ao longo do ano letivo.
Utilizar uma folha ao final do caderno pode facilitar esse trabalho. Fim da
observação.
LANGUAGE IN USE
Atenção professor: Destaque para os alunos que, no exercício 1, há
fragmentos em que a voz passiva não é utilizada. Fim da observação.
PASSIVE VOICE (II)
1. Which verbs in the fragments below are in the passive voice? Write the
answers in your notebook as in the following example.
a. "... what's more commonly referred to as shopping addiction..." (paragraph 1)
Verb in the passive voice: 's referred
b. "Although widespread consumerism has escalated in recent years..."
(paragraph 3)
Resposta: -
c. "... whether compulsive shopping should be considered an obsessive-
compulsive disorder..." (paragraph 6)
Resposta: shoud be considered
d. "It has been suggested that,... it be viewed as an impulsive-compulsive
spectrum disorder." (paragraph 6)
Resposta: has been suggested
e. "... the addictive pattern is actually driven by the process of spending money."
(paragraph 7)
Resposta: is driven
f. "Finally, the shopper crashes, with feelings of disappointment." (paragraph 8)
Resposta: -
g. "... so they should not be considered a sole or reliable treatment." (paragraph
9)
Resposta: should not be considered
FONTE: Claudiu Mihai Badea/Shutterstock/Glow Images
2. What is the structure of the passive voice? Write the answer in your
notebook.
a. subject + auxiliary verb (be) + main verb (Past Simple)
b. subject + auxiliary verb (be) + main verb (Past Participle)
Resposta correta: b
111
3. Go back to the text on page 106 and find other examples of the passive
voice. Then copy the table below in your notebook and replace the ____ with
the correct verb forms.
Tabela: equivalente textual a seguir.
Paragraphs
Verbs in the Passive Voice
3
rd
____
Resposta: was recognized
____
Resposta: was cited
5
th
____
Resposta: are damaged
9
th
____
Resposta: should be noted
____
Resposta: are mixed
4. Replace the ____ with the appropriate form of the verbs in parentheses to
complete the following sentences. Use the passive voice. Write the answers in
your notebook.
a. A lot of consumers ____ by online advertising. (influence)
Resposta: are influenced
b. Compulsive shopping ____ like any substance addiction. (should treat)
Resposta: should be treated
c. People's attitude towards shopping ____ by the rise of consumerism. (shape)
Resposta: has been shaped
Read the sentences below and do exercises 5 and 6. Write the answers in your
notebook.
Box:
I. Compulsive shopping is more commonly referred to as shopping addiction.
II. Shopping addiction was cited as a psychiatric disorder in the early twentieth
century.
III. We are surrounded by advertising.
IV. We are encouraged by politicians to spend as a way of boosting the
economy.
V. The addictive pattern is actually driven by the process of spending money.
End of box.
5. Replace each ____ with I , II, III, IV or V to complete the following
statements.
a. We use the passive voice when we want to focus on an action which is more
important to us than who or what causes the action, or when there is simply no
need to mention the doer, such as in sentences ____ and ____.
Resposta: I, II
b. In passive constructions, when we wish or have to say who or what is
responsible for the event in question, we use by + the doer, such as in
sentences ____, ____ and ____.
Resposta: III, IV, V
6. Identify the performer of the actions in sentences III, IV and V.
Resposta: III. by advertising; IV. by politicians; V. by the process of spending
money
7. Compare the sentences in the box below and choose the correct answer to
the following question. Write the answer in your notebook.
Box:
I. 6% of the U.S. population has a shopping addiction.
II. 6% of the U.S. population is thought to have a shopping addiction.
End of box.
If you want to be cautious about what you say, which sentence should you use?
a. Sentence I.
b. Sentence II.
Resposta correta: b
FONTE: Reprodução/www.buynothingday.co.uk
112
8. Use a passive construction from the box to make each sentence below sound
less definitive, as in the example. Write the answers in your notebook.
Box:
is said to - are believed to - is thought to - was considered to
End of box.
a. Compulsive shopping is the most socially-reinforced of the behavioral
addictions.
Compulsive shopping is said to be the most socially-reinforced of the behavioral
addictions.
b. My grandmother was a shopaholic.
Resposta: My grandmother was considered to be a shopaholic.
c. Elizabeth Hartney knows everything about addictions.
Resposta: Elizabeth Hartney is said to/is thought to know everything about
addictions.
d. Some homeopathic remedies have an immediate effect on your health
condition.
Resposta: Some homeopathic remedies are believed to have an immediate
effect on your health condition.
Read the fragments below and do exercises 9 and 10. Write the answers in
your notebook.
Box:
I. ... the shopping act itself, often described as pleasurable...
II. Fortunately, although not yet well-researched, compulsive shopping...
End of box.
9. Replace the ____ with the appropriate verb forms to rewrite the fragments
below. Use the passive voice.
a. ... the shopping act itself, which ____ as pleasurable... (Fragment I)
Resposta: is often described
b. Fortunately, although compulsive shopping ____, it... (Fragment II)
Resposta: is not yet well-researched
10. What auxiliary verb did you use in exercise 9?
Read the advertising poster below and do exercises 11-13. Write the answers in
your notebook.
FONTE: Available at: www.peta.org/features/kevin-mchale-always-adopts.aspx.
Accessed in: March 2076. CRÉDITOS: Reprodução/Peta
Resposta: The auxiliary verb is.
11. Answer the questions below.
a. What is the main purpose of the text?
Suggested answer: To encourage people to adopt a pet/cats and dogs.
b. What shouldn't people buy? Why?
Suggested answers: A pet./Pets./Cats and dogs. Because there are a lot of cats
and dogs in (animal) shelters (that can/to be adopted).
c. What organization is responsible for the advertising poster?
Resposta: PETA.
d. Who supports the organization?
Resposta: Kevin McHale.
e. Who is Sophie?
Resposta: The dog.
Boxe complementar:
TIP: Root for é uma expressão informal que significa apoiar, torcer. Underdog
se refere ao competidor com menos chances de vencer ou a alguém em
dificuldades. No pôster, a frase Always root for the underdog! faz um jogo de
palavras com dog em defesa dos animais abandonados.
Fim do complemento.
Atenção professor: Kevin McHale é um ator e cantor americano, mais
conhecido por seu papel como Artie Abrams (jovem inteligente e cadeirante) na
série de televisão Glee. Fim da observação.
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