The Three Domains: The Secret to Driving Nirvana

Every activity we participate in will involve the three domains, they are the Affective Domain, the Cognitive Domain, and the Sensorimotor Domain. The affective domain can probably be defined as ones thoughts and feelings about their environment. The cognitive domain is when one makes a decision concerning their feelings directing their actions. Thus, the sensorimotor domain basically is the ones sensory input and motor output combined leading to ones actions in life.

Probably the best way to understand the three domains as they are related to Traffic Psychology is to use true driving experiences. Letitia Lujan tells of a time when she was cut off by a car on the highway, moved into the other lane to avoid the driver, only to become frustrated when the driver moved in front of her again. Letitia is in the affective domain when she becomes frustrated, moves to the cognitive domain when she decides to change lanes, and finally moves to the sensorimotor domain when she senses the gas pedal at her foot, then begins to increase the pressure. Bryan Yucoco (a chronic self admitted tailgater) talks about his own tailgating situation while driving. When Bryan gets irritated by a driver in front of him, he is demonstrating an affective behavior, his decision to tailgate the slow driver involves the cognitive domain, and his increasing the pressure of his foot on the gas pedal falls under the sensorimotor domain.

By acknowledging the three domains in traffic psychology we can learn to monitor and change our negative driving habits in a positive way. Breaking old habits is probably one of the hardest things in life, but it is ones only alternative or we would never evolve as people. Changing bad driving habits is the only resolution to alleviating global traffic madness. Are we destined to be trapped in the enchantment of our cars, by their shine, power and speed? People are drawn to cars as they are a mechanism of changing us as regular people into drivers otherwise supernatural beings capable of extraordinary feats. When we get behind the wheels of our cars we feel stronger even invincible, but does this give us the right to abuse our powers, through tailgating, speeding and running stop signs. With driving we must take responsibility for our actions redirecting our focus on ourselves in more positive ways by systematically analyzing our driving habits in order to become a better drivers thus, changing our highways for the better. Change can only occur systematically: it begins from within, from our feelings, potentiated through our thoughts, coming out through our actions. Are the three domains one of the great secrets of life? Quite possibly so.

Instructor's Home Page

Report 1: What is Traffic Psychology

Report 2: What's the big deal about tailgating?

Report4:What is a Driving Personality Makeover?

Report 5: CARtoon

Report 6: My Self Witnessing Driving Experiment

Report 7: Is Speeding OK?

Report 8: Incorperating Traffic Psychology to Driving Topics on the Internet

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