Final answer:
People often believe that they need many possessions to be happy because success and fulfillment are frequently linked with material wealth. However, due to scarcity, there is often a gap between what people desire and what they can acquire, leading to the perception that abundance is necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many people believe they need an abundance of things due to the perception that material wealth is a key driver of happiness. This belief, tied to the concept that money solves problems, is prevalent in a society where advertising and cultural norms often equate success and fulfillment with the accumulation of goods. However, most individuals experience a gap between desires and their ability to satisfy them, a situation attributed to the economic principle of scarcity.
In our consumption-driven world, we depend on money to access basic and luxury goods everything from food and shelter to healthcare and entertainment. The reality is, however, that income seldom stretches to cover all wants due to scarcity. This disparity can lead to the constant pursuit of more resources in an effort to bridge that gap, reinforcing the belief in the necessity of abundance. To mitigate feelings of scarcity, people might focus on prioritizing needs over wants, finding satisfaction in non-material experiences, and fostering a sense of contentment with what they have.