Psy 409 A

My Sixth Outline from the Assigned Readings

By Michelle Ching

Driver Skill

Pg. 211-2119

Reference: Peter Roth, Editor, Jeffrey Nash & Gary Brinker (2002). Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer (University of Alberta Press) pg. 193-201

Instructions for this activity are found at:

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

Concept 1: Skill

I. Traditional Definition

A. Learned ability to perform some task effectively and efficiently

1. Involve simple physical manipulation of tools and materials toward some objective product.

2. Industrial Psychology and Human Engineering research broaden definition of skills including mental process and abilities

3. Every human trait can be a trainable skill

B. Driving skill

1. Can be seen as a complex skill or simple as natural as walking

2. Mental activity needed to maintain situational awareness and manage vehicle

3. Exist different degrees

Concept 2: Capacities Underlying Driving Skill

I. Driving skill depends upon human abilities

II. Components capabilities

A. Human information-processing capacities

B. Sensory, mental and psycho physical capacities

III. Driver failure

A. Human engineering perspective

1. Focuses on the fact that driving demands may exceed driver’s mental capacities at a given moment

2. Overload information processing and motor capacity difficult conditions

B. Individual differences

1. Uses performance limits on information-processing tasks as a predictor assumes pre-crash behaviors represent limiting capabilities of drivers

C. Useful field of view

1. A measure of early stages of visual attention

Concept 3: Model of Driving and Driver Skills

I. Driver skill categories

A. Knowledge – Cognitive/memory

B. Attention – Cognitive/perceptual

D. Detection – Sensory/preattentional

E. Perception – Sensory/cognitive

F. Evaluation – Cognitive/affective

G. Decision – Cognitive/affective

H. Motor skill – Perceptual- motor

I. Imagination – Cognitive

J. Motivation – Affective/social

K. Responsibility – Cognitive/affective/cultural

Related Web Links:

http://www.familycar.com/Driving.htm - Ways to enhance and refine the relationship between you and your car, for maximum safety and enjoyment.

http://www.drivingskills.on.ca/ - Advice to become a better driver

http://www.wordreference.com/definition/skill - A definition of skill

My Home Page:

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

The G23 Class Home Page: