Final answer:
American buying patterns in the 1950s were characterized by increased consumerism amongst a growing middle class, facilitated by the advent of credit and department stores. These patterns included a shift towards purchasing wants over needs and a materialistic view of success and happiness. The 1950s marked the beginning of the modern consumer culture in America, heavily focused on pleasure and acquisition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The buying patterns of American consumers in the 1950s were heavily influenced by the post-war economic boom, leading to the proliferation of a burgeoning middle class with disposable income. This period saw a marked shift from spending primarily on necessities to a focus on wants, ushering in an era of consumerism where new products were bought not out of need but desire. Department stores, with their variety of goods and fixed prices, facilitated this change by making a diverse range of products readily available to the consumer. The availability of credit, including credit cards and installment plans, further fueled the buying spree, as it enabled people to purchase goods immediately rather than save up for them.
Technological advancements and increased income led to most American households owning modern appliances, cars, and enjoying entertainment options like television and movies. Attendance at educational institutions soared as more families sent their children to college, prepared for a life that increasingly equated happiness with material possessions. Even the definition of the American Dream evolved, focusing more on the pursuit of pleasure and acquisition. Notably, the concept of buying on credit became widespread, despite the financial risks this entailed, as consumers were enticed by advertising and the allure of the latest consumer goods.