The Social Impact of Automobile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Social Impact of Automobile - Essay Example We are popular with possession of the right product, and, at the same time, own our individuality. The car has moved far from being just a tool of convenience or necessity, it has come to life within our minds and our culture. The intricate psychological reasoning for these insecurities is as varied as the individuals themselves. â€Å"Every adult life could be said to be defined by two great love stories. The first – the story of our quest for sexual love – is well known and well-charted. The second – the story of our quest for love from the world – is a more secret and shameful tale. And yet this second love story is no less intense than the first.† (de Botton, 2004). De Botton’s research for possible cures to â€Å"status anxiety† leads to the idea that the admission of ones mortality puts into perspective elements of status, such as careers, possessions, appearance and fame. (Jutkins, 2006). Life experiences that frustrate the fulfillment of people’s basic needs such as independence, competence and interrelationships result in feelings that lead to differing levels of materialistic pursuits. This tendency is especially heightened under the curren t atmosphere of cultural consumerism. To deal with cultural pressures and their effects, people may resort to what psychologist term as compensatory consumption. That is, consuming even more to feel better. â€Å"This is ironic because this additional consumption often stems from the culture of consumerism itself.† (Kasser, Kanner, 2004, p. 16). The market has positioned the most physical of products such as cars, in ways that provide a kind of healing to consumers. Consumers have been drawn into a self-willed daze by an assault of feel-better-about-yourself advertising. The purchase of what we perceive others believe as beautiful possessions enable us to feel significant and worthwhile, at least for a short time. (Davis, 2002). People buy for recognition from family, friends and