To Have or To Be? A Comparison of Materialism- Based Theories and Self-Determination Theory as Explanatory Frameworks of Prejudice Alain Van Hiel, Ilse Cornelis, and Arne Roets Ghent University ABSTRACT The present study aimed to delineate the psychological structure of materialism and intrinsic and extrinsic value pursuit. More- over, we compared models based on self-determination theory (SDT), Fromm’s marketing character, and Inglehart’s theory of social change to account for racial prejudice. In a sample of undergraduate students (n 5 131) and adults (n 5 176) it was revealed that the extrinsic value pur- suit Financial Success/Materialism could be distinguished from the extrin- sic value scales Physical Appeal and Social Recognition, and Community Concern could be distinguished from the intrinsic value pursuit scales Self- acceptance and Affiliation. Moreover, Financial Success/Materialism and Community Concern were consistently and significantly related to preju- dice, whereas the other SDT facet scales yielded weaker relationships with prejudice. Structural models based on SDT and Inglehart were not cor- roborated, but instead the present data supported a mediation model based on Fromm’s work in which the effect of Community Concern was medi- ated by Financial Success/Materialism. Broader implications for SDT are critically assessed. Possession of material goods plays a dominant role all over the world. This quest for prosperity is present in society at large, as evinced by daily concerns of political leaders for a country’s economic performance, as well as in the mind of the individuals liv- ing in these societies. On the individual level this pursuit is most accurately labeled as ‘‘materialism,’’ the importance people ascribe to possessions and their acquisition (Richins & Dawson, 1992). Materialism has been considered a relevant ideological variable by Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Alain Van Hiel, Ghent University, Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, H. Dunantlaan 2, Gent, 9000, Belgium. E-mail: alain.vanhiel@ugent.be. Journal of Personality 78:3, June 2010 r 2010, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation r 2010, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00642.x