Psychology 409A-October

My Fifth Outline of Assigned Readings

By Gemma Clayson

"Supportive Driving"

 

James, Dr. Leon and Nahl, Dr. Diane.  "Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare". Prometheus Books: New York. 2000. pp.178-189

 

Instructions for this activity are found at:  www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

 

Concept One:  Kindness For Other Drivers

                A.  Random acts of kindness by drives is the new advancement in reversing the road rage and aggressive driving epidemic.  These random acts are consistent with the new age of supportive driving.

                B.  Some acts of kindness address the small things when driving , such as using your turn signal or wearing a contagious smile while driving.  Other acts of kindness, such as making a space for a car to move in front of you, will support an urgent need for that driver.

                C.  These acts of kindness are guaranteed to make you feel good and are effective against aggressive impulses.  I have noticed that when I am in a good mood and smiling when I am driving, I am more likely to perform random acts of kindness.  As soon as I feel as if my acts are unappreciated, my mood changes and I stop performing these acts. 

 

Concept Two:  Road Rage Vs. Passengers

                A.  Drivers experiencing road rage have a lot of power and control over their passengers.  Some drivers abuse, neglect, and/or threaten their passengers.

                B.  Verbal abuse and ignoring passenger's concerns when driving has become a cultural norm.  we grow up with this norm and practice this abuse until adulthood.  While driving dangerously, some drivers threaten their passengers and are capable of causing psychological and/or physical harm.

                C.  I have never been in a situation where my complaint was not heard as a passenger, but as a driver I have sometimes yelled back at my passengers, "I'm the driver. You wanna drive?!"  It scares me to think that I could be causing psychological trauma to this person.

 

 

Links:

1.  www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2005/clayson/home.htm (My Home Page)

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

3.  http://www.angelscamp.com/r-sugst.htm  (Suggestions For Random Acts of Kindness)

4.  http://www.farmers.com/FarmComm/WebSite/html/media_center/Nov_15_04.html  (Road Rage Harms Passengers)

5. http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/sep2001/musl-s20.html  (Verbal Abuseand Racism against Passengers)