PERCEIVED OBSOLESCENCE

What Does Perceived Obsolescence Mean?

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The Quick Answer

Perceived Obsolescence means "The Perception That a Product Is Outdated Due To Aesthetic, Functional, or Technological Changes."

image for Perceived Obsolescence, representing perception

Perceived obsolescence is a marketing and design strategy where a product is perceived to be outdated or less desirable due to aesthetic, functional, or technological changes, rather than actual inefficiency or wear. Unlike "planned obsolescence," this concept plays on consumer psychology, encouraging the purchase of new products not because the old ones are unusable, but because they seem inferior or outdated compared to the latest offerings. Companies frequently update product designs, release new features, or change marketing strategies to make older models seem less appealing. This approach capitalizes on social pressures and the desire for status symbols, pushing consumers towards constant consumption and contributing to environmental waste.

Examples of perceived obsolescence include: -

Smartphones: New models are released yearly with minor upgrades, making previous versions seem less capable or out of fashion.
Fashion Industry: Changing trends each season encourage consumers to buy new clothing, even though their current wardrobe is still wearable.

Perceived obsolescence fuels the cycle of "buy-use-discard," significantly impacting consumer behavior and environmental sustainability. By understanding this concept, consumers can make more informed choices, resisting unnecessary upgrades and reducing waste.

Image for Perceived Obsolescence

When I write Perceived Obsolescence, I mean this:

Perceived obsolescence fuels the cycle of "buy-use-discard."

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

Perceived Obsolescence
Definition:	The Perception That a Product Is Outdated Due To Aesthetic, Functional, or Technological Changes
Type:	Word
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at Perceived Obsolescence

"Perceived obsolescence" is a noun phrase. It consists of an adjective "perceived" modifying the noun "obsolescence." Noun phrases are grammatical units containing a noun and its modifiers, which can include adjectives, determiners, and prepositional phrases, providing additional information about the noun, such as quantity, quality, or identity.