Is this why men in a midlife crisis buy supercars? People who drive premium cars are seen as better mates and being more intelligent, study finds

Many men bought a supercar once they reached their 40s to feel “more alive” while going through their new midlife crisis.

While some believe that purchasing a car for more than $100,000 does nothing to upset an individual in midlife, a new study has revealed that driving a luxury car can boost one's self-confidence.

Researchers at the Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil found that men who Private luxury cars such as the Corvette and Porsche are perceived to have higher levels of intermarriage values ​​and social dominance and are viewed as more efficient.

The results are likely because men and women believe there are benefits to being the partner of someone who owns an expensive car.

The researchers shared in the study published on Instagram that “the results indicate that motivated people who own luxury cars were rated with higher mating value and dominance.” Direct Science.

“Similarly, participants who owned a luxury car showed higher levels of mating value and social dominance.

“The results suggest that consumption of luxury products influences social perception that is consistent with self-perceived characteristics.”

The team conducted the study in two parts, the first examining whether evaluations of mating value and social dominance are influenced by consumption choices.

171 participants were asked about the value of mating and social dominance when considering people of the opposite sex who own supercars.

Approximately 93 people were women, and the rest were men who looked at four fabricated people created to show information relating to their profession, hobbies and car – either a luxury or popular car.

The results also identified that people with higher status are perceived as more competent and preferred in choosing a job. Pictured is George Clooney, 61, driving a classic Corvette in 2020

The stimulus subjects were duplicated: two had luxury cars, and one had popular cars. Descriptions of occupations and hobbies had similar content regarding social status.

'Confirming the first hypothesis, it was observed that both women and men attribute higher mating value to motivated people who own luxury cars.

'Similar to other luxury items such as apartments And clothesLuxury cars indicate one's position in the hierarchy.'

The results also identified that people with higher status are perceived as more competent and preferred in choosing a job.

“It is possible that individuals who owned luxury cars were considered more attractive because of the potential benefits associated with high status,” the researchers said.

The results are likely because men and women believe there are benefits to being the partner of someone who owns an expensive car. Pictured: Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, with a $100,000 Fisker Karma hybrid

“In general, both men and women can benefit from relationships with partners who possess these qualities.”

The team's second hypothesis was also confirmed: people who owned luxury cars were described with higher levels of social dominance.

The second part of the study looked at how a person who owns a supercar perceives themselves.

A sample of 409 participants, 206 females and 203 males, who owned luxury and popular cars, were asked to report their self-perception of social status, social dominance, and peers.

Participants who owned a luxury car showed higher levels of subjective social status than those who owned a popular car or no car at all.