1.2 Automobile

Question 1

Insights between people and context are often wrong because (2):

Answer 1

1. Intuition does hardly work.

2. Scientific research is shallow

Question 2

3 social and cultural forces that led to cruising:

Answer 2

1. Need to gather at big events
2. Impact of the automobile in society
3. Inadequate social providence for adolescents

Question 3

Why do adolescents have the need for big social events?

Answer 3

1. Group influencers (sense of identity and security) → belonging to a group.
2. Sexual behavior → find mate
3. Rivalry (competitive for men, dress for women)

Question 4

Why is the car so important for adolescents, especially guys?

Answer 4

1. Means of competition → drag racing
2. Sexual symbolism → manhood
3. Fair start (everyone can compete)
4. Compete for status
5. Social acceptance
6. group identity

Question 5

Why is school inadequate to foster their needs?

Answer 5

1. limited to sports or academic talents
2. confined to overday hours
3. high school ends at 18 → peak of adolescence

Question 6

Criteria of a cruiser (5):

Answer 6

1. Between 15 and 25
2. Car has been altered to fit the hot car image
3. Windows are rolled down
4. Occupants of the car are all male
5. Helped to distinguish from regular traffic

Question 7

Outcome of research cruising (3)

Answer 7

1. All activity takes place in or near the car
2. Cruisers maximize visibility (driving and parking)
3. Cruising is self-sustaining, no need for other amusement facilities (just needs road, parking places, enough light)