Psychology 409a- September 19th, 2005

Psychology 409a- September 19^th, 2005

My Second Outline of Assigned Readings

By Kalena Luney

Decisions and Responsibility

Leon James and Diane Nahl (2000). Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare. (Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books) Pages 57-65

Instructions for this activity are found at:

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

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

I. Rage in the Genders

a.) While it has been reported that men have more feelings of rage, violence, and

competition than women, with more women commuting to work than ever before, we are seeing more accidents involving women. Some believe that the cause of road rage and aggression is oppression and alienation in the workplace and at home.

b.) I haven’t seen this in person, but you see more women getting angry on

television. Instead of Susie homemaker, you have successful working women who are frustrated and tired of their place in society.

c.) I agree that the cause of aggression is oppression and alienation, however, I

don’t think that you can immediately compare more women in the workplace to the increase in accidents. Women in the workplace is a relatively new concept and I think more time needs to pass before one can draw a correlation.

II. Driving under the Influence

a.) driving under the influence covers a broad range of driving impairments, such

as: fatigue, a chemical substance or a strong emotion. This is a dangerous time to be behind the wheel because you are not thinking clearly.

b.) I have driven while very tired and felt as if I might endanger myself or

someone else because I was drifting on the road and not paying close attention to what was in front of me.

c.) I think it’s really important for people to realize that driving under the

does not just include driving under the influence of substances, but also driving under fatigue or influential emotions.

III. Road Rage Cure?

a.) through self-observation, or self-witnessing, we need to learn to recognize our

feelings in order to better control our behavior. This is key in being responsible for our own actions and controlling our emotions.

b.) Driving requires a person to be able to think fast, and many people think this

refers to impulse. However, impulse is what many people act upon when their feelings are strong. While driving this can be dangerous because you are dealing with a vehicle and other’s lives.