Theoretical and methodological aspects of the study of consumption and consumer practices in modern sociology

The features of a sociological analysis of the phenomenon of consumption and the formation of consumer practices process is explored in the article. This issue is the most relevant in modern conditions of socio-economic development of society. It is proved that the modern consumer is subject to numerous manipulations by large corporations and the media, which determines its social behavior and socio-psychological climate. The author reveals various theoretical approaches to the study of consumption problems. Great attention is paid to western theoretical and methodological approaches, including the concept of “consumer society” by J. Baudrillard. Also, the methodological possibilities of studying various aspects of consumption, described in the works of Russian scientists, are analyzed. The author emphasizes that ideas about the consumption process in society changed as sociological thought developed, as well as in connection with changes in social conditions. In addition, the emergence of new consumer practices necessitated the creation of new conceptual approaches.