Psy 409, 9/25/05

My Second Outline of Assigned Readings

By Kristina Peltz

Neuropsychology’s Importance

Peter Rothe, Editor (2002). Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer. (Edmonton: University of Alberta Press). “Personal Subsystems,” pages 10-19.

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

I. Neuropsychology and its importance

a. Neuropsychology studies include the complex aspects of cognition such as memory, attention, language, perception, planning, decision-making, personality, and social behavior, with focus on disorders of these kinds

b. The cultural significance of neuropsychology is that it is used at identifying behavioral problems, such as in candidates for the military, and it could be used to improve driver screening tests.

c. I think these studies are interesting and neuropsychology could definitely be used for driving exams. Tests that evaluate personality are probably very important in the military.

II. Neuropsychological assessment of visual attention

a. There is evidence that using neurological assessments of visual attention are better than conventional assessments for driving. Visual attention processing relies on the ability to select relevant information in the environment and disregard irrelevant information.

b. Cultural significance- I see lots of elderly drivers who are inattentive and often hazardous. According to the book, risk factors for elderly drivers include: inattention, improper turning, and collisions.

c. I agree some testing should be done and improved for the elderly. I think there are a lot of bad elderly drivers on the road and have almost gotten into an accident more than once due to one of them.

III. Neuropsychology and improving screening systems for young drivers

a. Common problems for young drivers include alcohol use, drug use, fatigue, and speeding. These actions are related to the personality characteristic of sensation seeking and drivers’ underlying personalities could be a causal factor.

b. I myself have seen many young people do these things, most commonly driving under the influence of alcohol or fatigue.

c. I agree that sensation seeking personalities are quite possibly a risk factor for young drivers and drivers in general. Should this be tested for during a license test? I don’t think so, but more research could be done on the topic to see if that would improve rates of accidents in young people.