Psy 409 A,  9/19/05

My Fourth Outline of Assigned Readings

By Michelle Ching

Driving Effects and Factors

 

Dr. Leon James, Road Rage and Aggressive Driving. 

Prometheus Books, Amherst: New York 2000.

 Pg. 57-66

 

 

Instructions for this activity are found at:

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm

Instructor:  Dr. Leon James

 

 

Concept One:  The Gender Effect

I.               Comparing Men and Women Drivers

A.   Men feel more negative emotions behind wheel

B.    Women feel more compassion for other drivers

-       Increase in the aggressiveness of men and the rising aggressiveness of women reflect permissiveness toward expressing anger

-       One link to road rage and women high level of home responsibility and a low level emotional support

-       Auto insurance rates for young women are close to inexperienced young men

 

Concept Two:  Driving Impaired

I.               Impaired driving – results from both physical and emotional factors that can contribute to dangerous driving

A.   Influence of fatigue, chemical substance, strong emotion

B.    Causes – stressful social factors, illness, traffic jams and other driving stressor can affect mood

-       Alcohol slows motor movements and distorts visual perception

-       Mental impairment leads to unpredictable behavior

-       During sleep deprivation risk of falling asleep on the wheel is likely

 

Concept Three:  Emotional Self-Control

I.               People manage to control feelings with two main components

A.   Self Appraisal

         -     Depends on how carefully we monitor our emotions and how it is expressed

                        B.  Self Regulation

   -     Depends on acquiring methods to self regulate the intensity and expression of our emotions

   -     These skills can be learned by anyone

                        C.  Emotional Competence

                                       -     In order to develop this, a basic understanding of mental control is needed

   -     When emotions are aroused an overwhelming sensation of being carried away is activated which leads to a loss of control

-       Actions taken now determine how we feel later

-        

 

Websites:

 

http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/aggr-ndx.htm - NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Governor's Traffic Safety Committee take on aggressive driving

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/aggressive/ - NHTSA guide to safe driving

http://www.state.de.us/highway/aggdrive.htm - State of Delaware law and codes

 

My Home Page:

 

 http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2005/ching/home.htm

 

The G23 Class Home Page: 

 

 http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/classhome-g23.htm