STUDY: Men can't help but enjoy fast cars - it's that testosterone thing again
Porsche Carrera 4S Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery
Talk about a foregone conclusion. Researchers at Canada's John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal took thirty-nine typical young men (i.e. college guys) and placed them in one of two cars. The first was a Toyota Camry. The second was a Porsche 911 Cabriolet. They then let the men drive up and down on two streets. One was busy and filled with women. The other was deserted. After each little cruise, each man's saliva was measured for levels of testosterone. Results?
Interestingly, whether there were ladies present or not, the mens' testosterone didn't increase at all after driving the Camry. Can anyone else hear Toyota's CEO Akio Toyoda groaning? The Porsche? Well, this is interesting. When a young man drives down a skirt-filled street in a Porsche droptop, his testosterone level rises. And when then same young man drives down a totally empty road all by his lonesome in a Porsche convertible his testosterone level... rises. To the same level, in fact, as it did when all the ladies were around.
Says lead researcher Gad Saad, "In other words, just put a guy in a Porsche, and his testosterone levels shoot up, whether people watch or not." This biological reaction, according to Saad, is a form of "sexual signaling." A way of signaling to potential mates that the driver of said car is the best breeding stock, the best potential mate. Continues Saad, "It's saying, 'all you pretenders out there - you couldn't be driving this Aston Martin - you couldn't even rent it.'" Insert crack about auto journos borrowing it for a week here. Tip of the tuque to Jarrett!
[Source: CBC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ALEXDB9 3:36PM (10/15/2009)
Haha, yes and next I'll do a study on wether guys like huge boobs
But I would of thought the testosterone level would have been higher when the ladies were around. I undress countless women with my mind on my way to school.......
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LaserRed38 3:47PM (10/15/2009)
I agree with you on the undressing part. But I am not a fan of huge breasts. ESP if they're fake. Small Cs are all I'd want..tops. I prefer a nice size (34-36) B cup actually. I'm a butt man. I like smaller chests on my women.
I can't stand seeing cougars or 18yo whores with their 38DDs busting out of their skin/Ed Hardy tank top, when they only weigh 120 pounds and have a 24" waste. So gross.
ALEXDB9 3:53PM (10/15/2009)
@LaserRed. I was being sarcastic as I am also a butt man because lets be real, it's closer to the goal. But fake or not, I appreciate a nice pair. I also prefer a handful....nothing wrong with motor boating though man
LaserRed38 3:53PM (10/15/2009)
Waist*
Wow can't believe I did that. Although, a 45 year old cougar wearing Ed Hardy with fake 38DDs and a 24" waist...IS a waste. IMO.
Mike 3:37PM (10/15/2009)
i wonder how much this study cost...? or should i say how much money was wasted?
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FThorn 3:39PM (10/15/2009)
We know that. But what the hell do WOMEN like?
(that lasts)
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LaserRed38 3:43PM (10/15/2009)
Maseratis duh.
Das Borgen 3:55PM (10/15/2009)
dude, they don t even know themselves.
They just like the fact that men have money to buy nice things...methinks
revvo 4:47PM (10/15/2009)
They like to drive slow in the "fast" left lane
akboss302 7:47AM (10/16/2009)
Well, the good ones like the same cars men do. My wife's dream car is a black '67 GTO, which is fine by me! It's the ones that want a Nissan Cube on 20's (and a pair of matching DG sunglasses) that you want to stay clear of, lol.
gina 12:45AM (10/17/2009)
we like guys that arent aholes... lol
BoxerFanatic 3:43PM (10/15/2009)
This is about as obvious as the study that Lewis Black has referred to in his stand-up...
a study that cost 300 million, or something... that said that prisoners would rather be out of prison.
Somebody is lining their pockets with grant money, methinks.
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Venom 3:43PM (10/15/2009)
They really needed a study for this?
What next, a study on whether women like to shop?
Jesus...
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audi_arena 4:55PM (10/15/2009)
True, but I still find it facinating to see something that we've always kind-of known backed up and proven with cold hard facts
Chet 12:34PM (10/17/2009)
For all the "they wasted money on this?" comments -- did you all predict that the testosterone levels would be the same whether or not there were any women present?
nailz420 3:47PM (10/15/2009)
I don't like fast cars, but I do like quick cars. Is there something wrong with me?
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WeeDiddy 1:58AM (10/16/2009)
Same concept, man. Come on.
dukeisduke 3:49PM (10/15/2009)
This sounds like another humor piece. Do they both come with the turbo encabulator, or is it only in the 4S?
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Greg 3:56PM (10/15/2009)
Only on the floor model.
mk15 3:49PM (10/15/2009)
It's an appliance vs a sports car....
Where do I apply for this grant money? I want to compare a Camry vs a Porsche and see in which vehicle do men accelerate fastest.
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