Psychology 409a, November 14, 2005
My third Outline of Assigned Readings
By: Teroa Paselio
 
Reference: Driving Lessons By J. Peter Rothe: The University of Alberta Press, 2002; pages 211-219
 
Instructions for this activity are found at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm
 
Instructor: Dr. Leon James
 
Concept 1: Defining a skill
 A. What is a skill? Three different conceptions of skills are thought to exist. These three conceptions include the traditional skill that encompassed simple physical manipulation of tools or materials toward some objective product. The second is described as a modern “ human engineering” skill that is said to be a trainable skill derived by industrial psychology and human engineering research. The third concept is perceived to have changed the definition of skill. The post modern re-engineering era is viewed as every human trait being a trainable skill and that perhaps it may develop into perfection. 
 B. Driving is a skill that can be seen at these three different concepts. As a traditional skill you can view yourself as a skilled driver through practice and learning. At the modern stage you are trying to maintain awareness and maybe vehicle management in all sorts of situations. While the post modern stage views your skill as a driver includes not only your driving skills but also social skills, while psychologically being involved in self control.
 C. I think the concept of skill has really developed throughout the years. However I think its perspective can definitely be useful just as the book lists, if we keep in mind that the activity in which our skill is engaged in can also be seen through cultural or other perspectives.
 
Concept 2: The Basics
 A. Two aspects serve as the foundation of basic human abilities that driving skills are built on. Human information processes who’s limitation can be surpassed within range of predictable demands serves as the first of the two fundamental capabilities. The second aspect states that capacities and basic sensory in individuals vary.
 B. In the case of the fighter pilot trainees who gained attention-management skills from playing a computer game, they were able to transfer their skills when they were actually in the cockpit. If we are able to train some cognitive skills, it will help society tremendously.
 C. I think this concept is complex but very important for driving. It is a concept that we might not usually understand but by being aware of our basic human capacities our driving skills will most likely improve.
 
Concept 3: The Whole Driver
 A. This concept is in search of an all-inclusive model that helps us to understand the demands of the many tasks that we have to meet as drivers. By studying different parts of driving we can try and gain the concept of the whole driver.
 B. The parable of the blind men and the elephant , the blind men each grasp different parts of the elephants anatomy to try and come up with a conclusion of what an elephant is. In this parable it also illustrate how we as a society do not have an all-inclusive model of the whole driver, but all we have now is different parts of driving and hopefully by examining each component we can come up with the concept of the whole driver.
 C. I thought this concept was interesting. In the study done by James McKnight and his colleagues, they identified 1,500 task requirements but yet we have no such model of the driver identifying how we are inclined to meet these many requirements. I think driving psychology has come a long way, however, the road to the model of a whole driver is still to come.
 
My Homepage: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2005/paselio/home.htm
 
The G23 Class Home page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/classhome-g23.htm
 
www.drivingskills.on.ca/
http://www.drdriving.org/articles/three_step.htm
http://www.drdriving.org/surveys/driver_personality.htm