Psychological and Attitudinal Drivers of Car Ownership: A Developing Country Perspective

Car ownership in developing countries is not merely a utilitarian choice; it often carries psychological and symbolic connotations. While extensive research has been conducted on the socio-economic determinants of car ownership in developed nations, less attention has been paid to the role of psychological and attitudinal factors in influencing ownership decisions in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper systematically reviews literature on how psychological drivers such as status symbol perceptions, material possession aspirations, and attitudes toward public transport affect car ownership in these regions. The study employs the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Material Possession Theory (MPT) as theoretical frameworks to understand car ownership behaviour. Key gaps in existing research include limited exploration of informal public transport systems’ impact on attitudes toward car ownership and a lack of comparative studies highlighting differences between developed and developing contexts. By synthesizing findings across relevant studies, this review seeks to illuminate the psychological underpinnings of car ownership, offering valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners in developing nations to design effective interventions to manage rising car ownership rates and promote sustainable urban mobility.