"A study has confirmed that many people see human facial features in the front
ends of automobiles and ascribe various personality traits to cars. Forty study
participants assessed cars based on a system known as geometric morphometrics
by viewing high-resolution, 3D computer reconstructions and printed images of
38 actual 2004-06 car models and rating each model on 19 traits such as
dominance, maturity, gender, and friendliness, and if they liked the car. Study
participants liked best the cars scoring high in the so-called power traits
the most mature, masculine, arrogant, and angry-looking ones. Researchers
theorized that over evolutionary time, humans have developed a selective
sensitivity to features in the human face that convey information on sex, age,
emotions, and intentions. The lead researcher explained, 'Seeing too many
faces, even in mountains or toast, has little or no penalty, but missing or
misinterpreting the face of a predator or attacker could be fatal.'"
>>>>> I did a study on cars and asked like 40 of my friends to rate a bunch of
cars selected at random. The options for choices were "like a squirrel", "like
a fox", "like a tiger", "like a bird", "like a bear" and "like a turtle."
Without exception, everyone likened each car presented to some kind of animal.
Therefore people think all cars look like animals.
Did anyone catch the flaw?
Now go back and look at the summary. All of the words given as choices in
describing the cars are closely linked to personality traits. So of COURSE they
will be perceived to have personalities if they are described in those terms!