article_snippet: Study led by University of Missouri suggests that those who were rewarded and spoiled as children were more likely to think possessions define who we are.
article_snippet: A study by the University of Missouri and the University of Illinois at Chicago found gifts could affect development.
article_snippet: Adults were more likely to think possessions define who we are (stock image shown) if Adults were showered with rewards when Adults were children .
article_snippet: Results showed adults who had received more material rewards and punishments as children were more likely than others to use possessions to define and express who they are.
article_snippet: And adults who received many material rewards as children were likely to continue rewarding children with material goods and defining children through children possessions.
highlights_snippet: Study led by University of Missouri found gifts could affect development .
  
highlights_snippet: Adults were more likely to think possessions define who we are if Adults were showered with rewards when Adults were children .
  