409a; Presented September 26, 2005

409a; Presented September 26, 2005
My Third Outline of Assigned Readings
by Julie Gersh
Driving with a Vengeance

Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare; By Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl, Prometheus Books, 2000. Pages 84-96.

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

Concept 1: The passive-aggressive driver

Definition: The passive-aggressive driver intentionally acts out in some negative way with an objective to irk other motorists. This person is typically a decent driver; however, given the right situation will drive in ways which are not respected on the road.

Example: Passive-aggressive drivers will reside in the far left lane of the highway at their own chosen speed when other cars are going faster. The person will likely refuse to move their vehicle. Passive-aggressive drivers have been observed to linger in their vehicle 11 seconds longer when there is a person waiting for the parking spot.
Culturally, drivers who act in such ways almost certainly do not see themselves as exhibiting road rage. Thus, they are likely causing more problems than they know on the road. Psychologically, they are making life more stressful than necessary. This is a behavior that causes unnecessary anger and anxiety. Acting passive-aggressively is so as to say, “Ha! I’m proving you wrong. I’m forcing you to follow the law or wait a few more minutes”, though the other driver will not perceive the behavior in such a way. This thinking is unhealthy and will probably cause a person to obtain high levels of rage and tension. Realizing self-control and having respect for others is acting at the affective level

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Opinion: This concept was selected because I must fully admit: I am a passive-aggressive driver! It never crossed my mind that behaving in such ways was considered “road rage”. I now comprehend why my actions on the road are passive-aggressive. I am the driver who sits in her car a few seconds longer when someone is waiting and I am the driver who will force a speeding driver to “go around”. I agree that this concept is negative and is considered road rage. I do not, however, necessarily agree that I am a person who will be negatively psychologically affected by this behavior. This may also be my unwillingness to believe that anything bad will happen to me: superoptimism or agathism: you choose.

Concept 2: Verbal road rage

Definition: The behavior of communicating with other drivers through negative oral terms. The act provides temporary release of inner anger stemming from another driver’s actions. It appears that this begins with an accusation of another driver and continues or ends depending on the situation. Verbal road rage involves complaining and often the driver is behaving selfishly, believing that they are always in the right and never in the wrong.

Example: Culturally, cursing at other drivers is likely to instigate the other driver to behave in a negative/road rage manner. Psychologically, verbal road rage is presumably customary in ones daily driving routine; thus, such behavior could be causing low self-esteem. A person will become more irritable more easily, especially when this behavior is removed from driving. Behaving cooperatively and responding positively to stressful situations is acting at the sensorimotor level.

Opinion: I believe cursing at other drivers and at oneself is a large problem in the driving world. I selected this concept as I have been a passenger in many vehicles in which this behavior has occurred. I believe it scares passengers and often angers other drivers. Frequently, the driver who is receiving the negative verbal attack is innocent as they were “just trying to switch lanes”. I also feel that verbal road rage should increase to include the category of offensive gestures.

Concept 3: Epic Road Rage

Definition: The driver assumes the position of a fantastical character. Such characters may include the Coyote from Road Runner or Tom and Jerry. Such characters have desires to chase after one another and/or instigate violence on one another. This theory believes that the driver feels the same way and gets a high from behaviors such as chasing and speeding. The epic road rage stems from the verbal road rage. Epic road rage may include shooting, yelling, fighting, etc.

Example: Drivers, who apparently feel this way, behave in what appears to be ridiculous ways. For example, a person is being tailgated, they become angry, have these fantasies, and drive the person off of the road. Culturally, this is detrimental and dangerous. Drivers who have these feelings should not be allowed on the road. Becoming “aware” of your feelings is acting at the cognitive level.

Opinion: Studies have found that this theory is almost solely confined to men. I chose this concept because I have never thought that there were people who truly believed in these ways.. I also feel that this is one of the most dangerous forms of road rage.