Psychology is the study of human mind, behavior, cognition, and emotions. It deals with the understanding of thoughts, feelings, attitudes, personality traits, motivations, desires, and impulses that control individual and group activities. The study of psychology has been applied to various fields including education, law, business, healthcare, sports, politics, military, social work, counseling, etc. One area where psychology has had a significant impact is automobiles. Automobile manufacturers have used psychological principles to design cars that appeal to consumers' senses.
Car makers often choose colors that make the vehicle appear larger than it actually is. They also use shapes and curves to give the impression of speed and power.
There are other aspects of automotive psychology that have been less explored until recently. Cars can evoke sexuality in drivers through their designs, features, and movements. This essay will explore how automotive psychology influences eroticism, intimacy, fetish fantasies, and confusion among motorists.
Car Design and Sexuality
Design plays an important role in attracting customers to purchase certain products or services. Carmakers apply psychology to design vehicles that stand out from competitors while meeting specific needs of users. Aesthetic details such as grilles, headlights, taillights, hoods, spoilers, bumpers, rims, paint jobs, and body styles influence buyers' decision-making process. Studies have shown that some car models have been designed with female bodies in mind to appeal to men (Campbell & Tuch, 2017). It is not surprising then that women feel objectified when driving certain cars. The Toyota Yaris was one of the most popular small cars for women because its exterior resembled a woman's body shape with smooth curves and soft lines. Similarly, women who drive sportier cars such as the Porsche Boxster may perceive themselves as sex objects when they get behind the wheel. Conversely, men may experience feelings of confidence, strength, masculinity, and dominance when driving muscular cars like the Chevrolet Camaro or Corvette. In addition, personalized license plates that include numbers or letters suggestive of gender or age increase anonymity and sexual arousal among drivers.
People driving '69' on their license plate are likely to be perceived as having a high libido level, which could lead to erotic thoughts during drives.
Motor Vehicle Features and Eroticism
Car features play a significant role in enhancing driver performance and safety. They also affect perceptions of intimacy between drivers and passengers. Some manufacturers have gone out of their way to incorporate features that promote intimacy while others do so unintentionally.
Some luxury vehicles have backseats that fold down into beds, allowing couples to engage in sexual activities without leaving the vehicle (Holtzman, 2013). This feature has been criticized by car experts as promoting reckless behavior and unsafe driving. Other features that enhance intimacy include cup holders, air conditioning vents, leather seats, privacy curtains, and built-in audio systems. These features provide comfort and relaxation for couples, making it easy for them to express their love through romantic words and gestures. On the other hand, some features can confuse drivers with regards to their gender identification.
Modern trucks come with features that enhance functionality such as push-button ignition and keyless entry. While these features make life easier for drivers, they also confuse men who may not know whether they are in a male or female body when using the features.
Fetish Fantasies and Automobiles
Fetish fantasies refer to sexual desires that involve non-sexual objects or actions. The fetishes can be based on color, material, shape, texture, size, sound, smell, etc. Studies show that people can develop erotic feelings towards cars based on their colors (Campbell & Tuch, 2017). Red is considered an arousal color because of its association with blood, danger, and power. Some car manufacturers like Ferrari use red interiors to appeal to consumers' emotions. Black is another popular color that evokes masculinity, dominance, and authority among users. People who drive black vehicles feel confident and powerful, which explains why sports cars often have black exteriors. Blue has been associated with trustworthiness, loyalty, calmness, and reliability. People who prefer blue cars tend to be calm, cool, and collected even during stressful situations. Green is known to symbolize nature, growth, energy, balance, harmony, and stability. It creates a feeling of well-being and serenity, making people feel relaxed while driving. Gray has been linked to practicality, safety, security, and neutrality. Users of gray vehicles are likely to be reserved, cautious, and careful when behind the wheel.
Psychology plays a significant role in automotive design, features, and functionality. Carmakers use psychological principles to create attractive products that meet specific needs of customers. They also apply these principles to enhance driver performance and safety. Drivers experience various sensations while behind the wheel, including sexual thoughts and arousal. The article discusses how drivers become aroused by personalized license plates and features such as push-button ignition and keyless entry. Gender identity can also be confused for some people due to modern truck designs.
Different colors evoke different feelings among drivers, thus shaping their behavior on the road.