Instructions for this report are at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/409a-g25-report1.htm

G25 Lecture Notes on Driving Psychology are at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/409a-g25-lecture-notes.htm

My name is Melissa Alcover and I am a current student of UH Manoa enrolled in Driving Psychology 409A. This report is going to consist of new information that I have taken from the duration of this class. I will talk about the old “driving” me and the new “driving” me that I wish to become. My new goal when it comes to being an everyday driver is to get away from being an aggressive driver and to change and assume the role of a supportive role. I am working on accomplishing this goal day to day.

I am currently twenty one years old and have been driving since I was fifteen. I learned to drive in Hilo, Hawaii. My mother taught me the basics of driving and at fifteen I received my permit. I was even enrolled in drivers education classes which was taught at my high school. I was awarded my license at age sixteen and have driving ever since. I recently started driving in Oahu last year since I came up here for college.

Prior to this class I was an extremely aggressive driver. I did not see that as a fault or something that needed to be changed. I suppose from society I was taught that being aggressive while behind the wheel is a normal behavior, expected, and excused while driving. When people in my vehicle would point it out I would react defensively and not listen to their comments. But after being enrolled in this class, participating in discussions, and doing reading on this subject I have realized what a problem I have. I have learned that it starts off with little steps and conscious change to become a supportive driver.

I have learned that there are two stages of a driving personality makeover plan. The first stage is to avoid being an aggressive driver. The second stage is to become a supportive driver. These stages are shown in table three that is taken from the website: http://www.drdriving.org/articles/taxonomy.htm

It is extremely important to realize that in psychology we learn that there is a three-fold self. This includes three levels which is the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor. You will need to work on changing your way of thinking in all three domains. After doing that and only exhibiting the positive skills will you be able to become a supportive driver.

It is important to learn about each domain and understand what the positive skills are in each. Changing from an aggressive driver into a supportive driver is not easy. This will take time and effort. By breaking into two stages and three levels it makes it easier to work on each individually.

The first stage of this driving personality makeover plan is to avoid being an aggressive driver. The affective level is where one needs to overcome their resistance to change. It is important in this level that one is able to hear creative criticism of passengers and to start showing kindness to other drivers. It is important to get into the mindset that is not right to be mean to and scorn other drivers.

The second level which is cognitive is learning to be rational and be able to analyze traffic incidents. It is necessary in this level to realize that not everything can be blamed on others and it is important to take fault in some incidents. It is helpful to make sentences in your head to explain certain situations. For instance “that driver may have cut in front of me suddenly because he didn’t see me or because he had no choice”. These sentences does not cause as much resentment toward others in bad traffic situations.

The third level which is sensorimotor is the actual acting out of civil behavior. This includes signaling-waving to say thank you, not using profanity, and excluding a positive behavior even when in a bad mood. By doing these things you are not only being happy for yourself but you are wasting the time of venting because it will not do any good or make a change. You may instead be a role model to other drivers and show others what a good driver should be like.

The second stage of the driving makeover plan is to become a supportive driver. Like the first stage it is broken into three levels-the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor. The affective level is maintaining a supportive behavior towards other drivers. These behaviors are feeling sorry for being rude or being unkind to other drivers. It also includes feeling appreciative of passengers’ opinions and being forgiving of others’ mistakes on the road.

The cognitive level which is the second level is being able to see driving incidents without bias. This is taking responsibility of your driving behavior and seeing other drivers’ behavior from their viewpoint instead of just your own. For example in place of just judging them as speeding or driving recklessly come up with different reasons they are doing so. They may be late for work or their loved one may be in a hospital. You can not assume they are bad drivers in need of being cursed out but may have a reason for their actions.

The third level is sensorimotor which is behaving in a cooperative style. This is the final level and includes you being able to just relax and enjoy the ride in the car. It is essential that you cooperate with the other drivers. Instead of fighting these drivers, cooperate and meet their needs. If you see someone with their signal on trying to get in your lane instead of speeding up to create no space, slow down and let them in. This creates a more peaceful driving environment. If you succeed in all three levels of these two stages you can call yourself a supportive driver. This is driving success!

I decided to share table 3 and all of its information with my roommate Kari. Kari is twenty one and like me started driving at age fifteen. She first started driving in Hilo and was my partner in driver’s education class. My first question to her was if she considered herself to be aggressive behind the wheel. Kari’s response was: yes.

I than proceeded to explain to her the two stages and what makes up the ideal driver. The following will be her reaction to this idea of a driving personality makeover plan. I first explained to her the first stage which is how to avoid being the aggressive driver. Kari agreed with all three levels and felt like it was possible to exhibit these behaviors while on the road. But when I got to the second stage which is to become a supportive driver she stopped listening after the affective level which happens to be the first. She felt that it is impossible to herself and other drivers to feel regret for being unfriendly to drivers who make mistakes while behind the wheel. She said that if they did something to deserve being yelled at why should she feel sorry for doing so.

Kari stated that while it is may be possible for some drivers to do this behavior it is highly unlikely that they will be able to uphold this wonderful behavior and resort back to their old ways. She believes in that saying “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks”. She said that being aggressive is a natural feeling and can not be stopped. Being aggressive to others is a biological feeling. Kari feels it is because it is an instinct to survival and can be traced back to the earliest civilization.

In conclusion I feel that we need to work on getting this message to others at an earlier age. I think that majority of people will react like Kari and stop listening at the second stage. I used to have the same outlook as Kari but as I am getting more into this class I am starting to see the importance of becoming a supportive driver. I personally feel that it is a difficult process to avoid being an aggressive driver and become a supportive driver but I am willing to try. I really do believe that at the end if everyone was a supportive driver there may be less accidents and road fatalities. This could even be the first tiny step to world peace.

Driving psychology is the study of aggressive driving behavior as the main cause of vehicle accidents. Driving psychology lists the behaviors of an aggressive diver. There is real-life examples of these cases. It shows steps that yourself and others can take to change from being an aggressive driver into a supportive driver. Driving psychology teaches of the three-fold self and shows ways to become a better person.

My information of driving psychology comes mainly from the information I learn in class. This class is psychology 409 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is taught by Dr. Leon James. I have also read two books which are “Driving Lessons” and “Road Rage”. I have also read more on driving psychology through various websites. I also have heard the topic of driving aggression from youth and other past classes.

Being a psychology major and starting my fourth year into the subject, I have studied different topics. I think that driving psychology can relate to social psychology. For example, it is the way we treat others and how others treat us. It is also a social norm in the United States and aggressive driving is a problem in all cultures. This is also related to emotional psychology because aggression is a very strong emotion. Aggression is caused by certain situations and may cost us physically.

Driving psychology is like developmental psychology because children learn these behaviors through their parents. We learn that road rage is a learned behavior and may be prevented at a young age. I believe that driving behavior is not mentioned in these other psychology areas because it is so normal of society to exhibit these behaviors on the road. It is almost as if it is a belief that everyone needs to be aggressive otherwise they have a problem. There are so many aggressive drivers that believe they do not have a problem and are reluctant to change. I feel there needs to be a change and driving behavior needs to be recognized as a topic in psychology.

Driving psychology like the other aspects of psychology is based on behavior and instincts. It also relates to human way of thinking and feeling. If you are aggressive behind the road is a person who exhibits violence you will show that on the road. You will be more likely to partake in a road rage incident. Compared to a person who is more passive who will be more likely to let their anger emotion go. Like every psychology it teaches skills and reinforces positive change. It is also based on research and is studied by psychologists everyday. Similar to all the different aspects of psychology all of it is going to be based on self-assessment and the willingness to change.

Driving psychology is still a new field and may take awhile in getting more popular. I do feel that with more professional backing and public exposure driving psychology will become implement in more educational programs. I do think that one day it will be as popular as community or personality psychology. Driving behavior is related to cultural norms and society’s expectations so if we work on changing those we may have a higher chance in changing driving behavior.

The three domains of driving behavior is affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor. These domains are also known as the driver’s three fold self. “The driver’s threefold self is a joint product of biology, culture, socialization, morality, and rationality. As children in the earliest and most important stage of learning we acquire the behaviors of our parents and our surroundings (other adults, the media). This behavior can extend to driving style on the road. So by the time of adulthood we are exposed to aggressive driving behavior in all three domains of the threefold self. The driver’s affective is hostile feelings, cognitive is biased thoughts, and sensorimotor is aggressive actions.

When I relate this to myself I feel that I can agree with the information. As a child my affective self was exposed to both my father and mother having hostile feeling towards other drivers. Both my parents would get angry, swear, and curse at other drivers who would do something “wrong” on the road. For instance, cut them off and cause them to break or by stealing their parking space. Now as a driver I am an exact replica of my parents having hostile feelings to these other drivers. Through my parents I learned how to react in different driving situations.

Within the three domains there are both skills and errors in driving behavior. First I will talk about the skills that we acquire and/or display while on the road. The affective domain of the threefold self consists of thoughts like “I need to be cautious right now I and not turn in front of someone”. This is a skill because you are putting other drivers feelings into consideration. This will reduce the tension on the roadways. Sometimes being a little more passive and less dominant is a positive quality. By doing so, you are decreasing the changes of aggressive behavior to emerge.

The positive aspect of the cognitive domain are thoughts like “this person seems like he needs to get into this lane, I should make enough space to let him cut in”. By doing this the other driver will not feel the need to merge in suddenly-cutting you off. The sensorimotor domain is “waving to say thank you to other drivers or let them know its okay to go”. I really appreciate this type of attitude while driving. I think it is important because if I let them in I like for them to wave as a thank you. It makes me feel like they value my sacrifice and do not take my kindness for granted. I like to wave also to show my appreciation or to apologize if I am in a wrong.

The errors in the affective domain is a thought like “I wish I could let that driver know what I think about him”. This is the start of negative thought and causes aggression to rise. In the cognitive domain it is a thought like “people who drive that way should catch the bus”. This shows that you are blaming all fault on the other drivers and shows how little impatience you possess. The sensorimotor domain is yelling at other drivers statements like “you stupid dummy where did you learn how to drive!”.

These errors of the threefold self are extremely likely on the road while driving. They occur daily by millions of drivers. Only through ourselves can we change our actions and become a better driver on the road-a supportive driver. It is important to learn the skills of the threefold self of driving behavior. After learning these new thought processes we must demonstrate these skills on the road. We can also share this new knowledge with our family, friends, and children. If we start in the present it is possible that through time the future will be full of more mature and competent drivers.

Driving norms is broken up within the three domains of the threefold self. These driving norms is put out by our parents as we sit as passengers through childhood. It is also broadcasted through movies, television, and other adults. The driving norms within the three domains-affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor are all similar within different cultures throughout the states.

The primary driving norm within the affective domain is the thought that being in control, being the dominant driver is the desirable driving style. It is also the belief that aggression while driving is accepted and used while behind the wheel. This includes not being understanding of other drivers. If you fall under this norm you are very unlikely to be cooperative on the road. These affective norms are very anti-social behavior and are very negative. Only through socio-cultural methods can we break through the affective norms.

The primary driving norm within the cognitive domain is biased explanations and observation of different driving incidents. This would be never seeing the fault of your own driving and simply blaming the driving of other drivers. This is not good because it leaves little room for improvement. Cognitive norms are also the lack of emotional intelligence while driving. For example getting angry, frustrated, and showing rage while driving. Only with self-training and self-improvement techniques can drivers learn the skills needed to better their emotional behavior while driving.

The primary driving norm within the sensorimotor domain are the habits we have while behind the wheel which blinds us of faults and causes unawareness of our problems. It also includes the lapses we have which can be caused by poor training or preparation for driving, being sleepy, or being distracted while driving. These sensorimotor norms represents the immaturity level of drivers. Lifelong driver self-improvement exercises are needed to reach more competent habits of driving.

It is essential to realize that driving behavior can be changed because it is determined on the threefold self. As individuals we are in control of our actions which is broken up into the threefold self. It is possible to observe, analyze, and change our behavior. It can be done by ending the negative norms and increasing positive norms in the culture of driving. I believe it may be done through time and with commitment to change. The key in change is willingness to admit fault and want to self-improve.

I think that the three domains relate to other aspects of psychology in that there are different parts of us that control certain emotions and actions. It is also important to know that we ultimately can alter ourselves in what we think and what we do. The domains are broken into sections which is common in other aspects of psychology. Like in abnormal psychology to overcome a phobia you need to start off a certain point first.

The three domains helped me understand my own everyday behavior. I was able to relate myself to the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor domains. In each domain I thought of what I do and my own examples of each one. After learning of the domains I was able to put myself in each and see my problem. When I did this it became easier in noticing what I need to change about myself while on the road. I never thought my aggressive behavior was a problem until I took this class.

Link: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409as2006/reich/reich-409a-g24-report1.htm

This report by Aaron Reich is a summarization of four tables about driving behaviors by Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl. Aaron Reich stresses in his report that each driver is not perfect but where there are errors there are skills that can be learned and used. Each driver must be able to recognize their problem first before being able to improve on it. The two main goals that each driver should want to work toward is becoming less of an aggressive driver and become a supportive driver.

Aaron writes of the fourth table and introduces the concept of AWM. AWM is an acronym that stands for Acknowledge, Witness, and Modify. It is a three-step approach that should be utilized throughout one’s driving life to improve one’s own driving behavior. The first step is to recognize the bad driving behavior. The second step is to witness the driving behavior while on the road. The third step is to interrupt the driving behavior and to modify the behavior through one’s own thinking. This is a very effective plan.

Aaron than writes about the main principles of driving behavior and its three domains. He goes into detail of the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor domain. He gives great definitions of each domain and gives examples of each one. I found out that the sensorimotor domain is the most important to learn to control because it is the actions and words of the driver. For example yelling out of the car phrases like “get off the road you stupid idiot”. The behavior exhibited is most dangerous because they most directly affect other drivers.

The next two sections are about driving personality makeovers done both by others and himself. I read through his writing and came to the conclusion that all the drivers were able to recognize their errors while driving. They were able to pinpoint their bad driving behaviors and using the skills they learned from class changed their attitude. It was like a well thought out self-experiment. I think that they were able to become more competent drivers. It was a great improvement for themselves and others on the road.

The last section of Aaron’s report was concerning the future. It was a reflection of himself and how his driving has improved and what he needs to work on. He also has a part written to the future generations. I liked this part because it is his personal advice about the class and it is important to read because he already went through everything. His only piece of advice he had was to start working on the report early to complete everything on time. It also seems that Aaron really enjoyed this class. He felt that it is not only a class for college but a class on life. Aaron says that this class makes a positive impact on everyone and stays with them forever.

Link: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2005/hooks/hooks-409a-g23-report2.htm

Ashley Hooks report was on answering questions concerning the two textbooks used in driving psychology. These two textbooks are Road Rage and Aggressive Driving by Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl and Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer by Peter Rothe. Ashley shows that both of these books address the different driving behaviors that individuals express while behind the wheel. The main purpose of Ashley’s report to show the bad results of road rage.

Aggression is a very popular behavior that people show while driving on the road. Ashley writes that there are three different types of drivers. The first is the vigilante driver who consciously commits acts of aggression. These acts include driving slow on purpose because they think they are enforcing the laws of the road on other drivers and makes them feel powerful. The second type is the rushing maniac. This driver always tries to get somewhere in the least amount of time possible. This causes the risk factor to increase. The third type is the scofflaw who just doesn’t abide by the law and is usually speeding all the time.

Road rage is the result of anger which is why it is dangerous. In her report she writes about how men and women are different when it comes to aggression. Ashley mentions that children are affected by road behaviors also. They learn from their parents the way to act as a driver from an early age just as passengers. The most important fact is that aggression and road rage are becoming the lead cause for traffic incidents.

Ashley Hooks wrote that the textbook reading taught her a lot about driving aggression and road rage. It seemed that she learned a valuable lesson and is using what she learned in actual everyday life. I think that it is great that these textbooks cause such awareness to people throughout the world. It seems that throughout time more and more people are learning the importance of ending road rage and aggression.

Her report also analyzes the reports of past generations. I enjoyed reading her chart that she created herself with information she found out. She also took part in self-tests that rated her on what kind of driver she was. I liked reading through her answers and the questions that were presented. Her advice to future generations was not to procrastinate on the report and to attend class. Ashley felt that it was important to go to class because it would be beneficial not just for points.

Link: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409as2005/golder/409a-g22-report2.htm

Justin Golder’s report is on the four tables related to driving psychology. He talks about the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor domains. He writes how we must recognize the way we act in each domain. Than change using positive skills and therefore improve into a supportive driver. In his report he also covers the three levels of a driver where each of the three behavioral domains are seen. The three levels are proficiency, safety, and responsibility.

Justin than relates the three domains to himself. He found that in the affective domain he tends to use the behaviors mentioned and can be classified as having road rage. In the cognitive and the sensorimotor domain he realizes that he takes risks and needs to work on that. Justin notices that he is putting his safety at stake and may not be as lucky each time he drives. He says that he will try to be more careful and work on becoming a supportive driver. But, it will be hard because he doesn’t really follow through with plans because he loses interest or forgets. I think that Justin really wants to change but I do not know how committed he will be with this.

Golder also read through past generations reports and summarized them. He than put his own comments and thoughts on their reports in a section. I think that their thoughts were very common and most of them seemed that they tried to changed their stance from an aggressive driver to a supportive driver. I think that it worked for most of them. Though it seems that Justin is not very confident on his ability to follow through his modification to a competent driver.

Justin took part in various self-assessment exercises and wrote his reaction to them. I found it interesting to read because it showed what he learned about himself. He also made a lot of realization on other people. From his report I learned and remember that passengers have rights too and we need to be more considerate of their feelings. Thus I need to listen more to them and take their criticisms to heart.

I found it really interesting that Justin wrote in his report that he had the privilege to live in Egypt. He was able to live there for two years, his sophomore to senior year in high school. He wrote that driving there is similar to driving here except they do not have much traffic rules. He said that the only ticket they really give is for speeding. I found that to be really interesting. I wonder how organized that makes the roads and how safe it keeps drivers.

Justin than comments on the current generations reports. He wrote about one girl being a girl truck driver. I have to agree with him on the fact that I give her a lot of credit and it should be really hard for a woman to have that type of job. His advice to future generations was to be on time with work and not to slack off and let the work add on because it will only cause stress. He gives a lot of credit to Dr. James and says that driving psychology is a interesting topic and will teach valuable information. Driving psychology will change your outlook on things.

Link: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2004/hanai/409a-g21-report2.htm

Similar to the other reports, Davis Hanai talks about the three domains of driving psychology which is the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor domain. He also talks about the three levels within the three domains which are proficiency, safety, and responsibility. Than these three levels are broken up into two more levels either positive or negative. Davis states that this creates a total of eighteen different categories in which your driving behavior can be placed.

Davis says in his report that although he is not a perfect driver he feels that he is close to being a supportive driver. It seems that his biggest problem would be getting distracted when he is driving. In his report he mentions his girlfriend a lot-she criticizes his driving, gets him distracted, but is the reason why he needs to drive safe.

Davis writes about the driving personality makeover which has three important steps. These steps is to recognize the problem, witness the problem in action, and finally taking the proper steps to put an end to the problem. He than compares two websites concerning driving psychology. His critique seemed to be a bit negative concerning the information the websites covered. I did not feel that it would be worth my time to look into these websites to read.

Davis took part in the self-assessment exercises and wrote about his results with each. He gave great examples to show driving aggression and the way anger can escalate. It made me realize that necessity to prevent road rage from taking place. Next he took quotes and analyzed each one. It showed a few great outlooks people had and was interesting because its coming from real random drivers. He showed how people have some completely different perspectives and quite a few pet peeves in common.

Davis Hanai’s biggest piece of advice for future generations was: DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! He emphasizes the importance of following directions in this class is in order to get a good grade. He also wrote to prepare for the oral presentations and feels that this class is beneficial.

Link: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2004/fukushima/report1.htm

Ikue Fukushima starts off her report with a personal story concerning driving behavior. I think that this personal story is what made me want to read this report. I think that it made it a lot more interesting and fun. When I read the incident about the lady getting mad at her boyfriend, I could relate directly. I can see both of their sides and can sympathize with both parties. I think that the most important point to see is the arguments that begin due to driver aggression.

Fukushima than begins to write about the three driving behavior domains presented by Dr. Leon James. These three domains are affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor. The affective is the driver’s will. The cognitive domain is based on the driver’s decision. The sensorimotor is the final decision you make based on your affective and cognitive knowledge. She emphasizes that driving behavior is based on the individual’s behavior traits, socialization, and culture.

In her report she states the main step in improving your driving behavior is to be able to self-witness your actions. The two ways Fukushima suggests you can do this is to tape record or film yourself while you are driving. This way you will be able to see the way you act while you are behind the wheel. It will help you see your problem and help in the process to change yourself.

Road rage is any type of negative aggressive behavior that occurs while behind the wheel. This includes competing, swearing, insulting, rushing, resisting, honking, and other similar actions. So, the main goal is to get away from doing these bad actions that are not good to others or yourself and to work toward into becoming a supportive driver. A supportive driver would be able to become competent in each domain and have better driver skills. They will know the risk they are taking and avoid that and be more understanding of other drivers.

Ikue writes about each driver having an emotional spin cycle. This cycle is broken into four sections which is from having being negative about others to positive about others and from being negative about self to positive about self. She says that she thinks of herself as being a “supportive driver who is not good at driving yet”. Her advice to future generations was that prior to this class to have your driver’s license and to be a driver otherwise you may have difficulty relating to this topic. This was her problem while in this class. But at least now she is more aware of road rage and the problems that aggressive behavior can cause. This class encouraged her into being a more responsible driver and helped improve her social skills.

I think that this type of learning behavior is very useful. I think that by reading the prior generation’s reports I became more educated about driving psychology. I was able to really go into dept about each driving domain. I was able to read different examples other than the textbook or my own on the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor domain. It made me understand the concepts better and from all different viewpoints. Also, I tried to relate to each example and ended up learning more about myself. I think that it made me see what bad skills versus good skills that I have.

I learned that the first step to becoming a supportive driver is being able to recognize one’s own faults. I enjoyed reading the personal stories that the past generations gave in their reports. It made me feel like all people have faults and no one is perfect. It made me see that these are problems and we need to be willing to work on changing for the better. Because the other students shared their bad driving habits and wrote how they saw that they needed to change, it made me realize that I have a problem. Since most of the steps seemed to work for them and made them happier in the end it gave me encouragement to follow in their example. Each report was able to give me different but similar ways to lose my aggression towards driving. I liked reading the different steps in becoming a more competent driver in each of the students reports.

I was also able to learn how each person is different from one another. After reading each report I feel that becoming a supportive driver or working to becoming one is extremely important. I think that everyone agreed that this class is very useful outside of school. Driving psychology teaches you lifetime skills, social skills, and helps you become a better version of yourself. I now think of others more when I am driving and am more aware of aggressive driving being a present problem. I was able to see my own faults in others. I think that the prior generations made me realize what I need to change about myself.

I think that the advice to future generations section was very important. I think that the concept to not procrastinate on the reports, outlines, or orals was stressed very much by all of the past students. It made me start working extra hard to stay on top of due dates so I would not need to experience extra stress. I was also convinced that this class is based on a serious topic and I think I made a good choice when I chose this class. I think that driving psychology will help me in my future and is teaching me new life skills. I am working on becoming a supportive driver.

I found it really interesting that one of the students did not have her driver’s license as she was taking this class. This made me think that not everyone needs to use cars as a source of transportation. But, I think it shows how driving is a part of society and how it is deemed as odd if you not drive. In today’s society driving is a social norm and is expected of you. I think that because she did not already have these bad aggressive habits that when she does drive she will be more likely to be a supportive driver. I think that she was the example that children should be taught these concepts prior to getting behind the wheel.

Before this class I never really saw myself as having faults as a driver. I was under the impression that I was a pretty good driver. I never got any speeding tickets and would not drive recklessly. Since I was in a car accident at age fifteen-one week after I got my license-I was always sure to be extra careful. I knew that I did not want to go through that type of experience again.

Last semester as registration approached I looked through the psychology classes and saw this class. I thought that a class on road rage and aggression would be interesting. Well, half way through the semester I have to say that I was right. Not only is driving psychology fun and interesting but I am learning the importance of it all. This class has caused me to evaluate myself and others.

In the beginning of this class we had different discussions relating to driving aggression. One was the ability to take criticism of passengers. Personally, I hated “back-seat drivers” and made me think about my boyfriend. We are both from the Big Island and over summer we would go out a lot together. I don’t know if you are really familiar with that island but he lives in Honoli’i and I live in Kurtistown. That is about a thirty minute drive. Usually I would drive to his house because its closer to Hilo so he would drive after that which would always make me the passenger.

But in those rare occasions when he would be the passenger, I would absolutely hate it because he had the most opinions about me. “Why do you have to drive so crazy?” “Your such a hypocritical driver-you get mad when people cut you off but you do it to them!” These incidents would cause little arguments. I would always get defensive and angry. He would always try to prove his point and try to make me see that he was right. This class made me open my eyes that maybe he did a valid argument.

Dr. James made me understand that I should have listened to him and took his feelings into consideration. Now I see that by becoming defensive I did not improve the situations and proves that I do indeed have a problem. I probably won’t ever tell him that he was right but I will be more aware of the way I drive. This made me see that I am an aggressive driver and I do need to work on becoming a supportive driver.

Ever since I started learning more about aggressive driving and road rage I started paying more attention to the way I drive. I started to see that even though I hardly swear I tended to do so when I was behind the wheel. If someone decided to switch lanes and would just cut me off I would get extremely angry. I would yell at them, curse them out, sometimes do rude gestures, and I would drive riskier. For example, I would tail them or speed up to go back and cut them off.

I learned that these behaviors are extremely dangerous and I know that I am lucky that this did not cause me to get into an accident. I know that I am relatively small and do not look like the type to be aggressive but I am. I was thinking if my parents are like this also and I think that they are. My mother usually only swears at other drivers and yells things at them. But my father yells, insults, and starts to drive recklessly. I think that I get my violence from him. I remember one time when I was really young this driver was not paying attention and in order to steal a parking stall from another driver ended up almost hitting me. My father was so incredibly angry that he almost got into a fight with that other driver.

I suppose that this shows that children do remember the way their parents react to things. All of these things made me realize that I do need to start making a slow change into becoming a more competent driver. Currently I am slowly trying to change my affective, cognitive and sensorimotor domain into a better emotional driver. In order to achieve my goal I first listed what I needed to change about myself.

This was my personal list:

no swearing at other drivers

stop planning out tactics to get “revenge” on the bad drivers

stop being so competitive and be more understanding of other drivers

give other drivers the benefit of the doubt

share my knowledge with my friends and family

I think that I am doing a pretty good job with following my list. I am a lot more calm when I am behind the wheel. I think that I realized that yelling and venting is only causing myself more stress. I try to think that being an aggressive driver is only making myself more highly strung and causing unnecessary stress. I am more tolerant of other drivers. I think that by doing these things I am not only making others happy but I am also benefiting myself.

Today, if I see someone with their blinker on I try to make enough room for them to merge in front of me. I am always sure to wave to say thank you to other drivers. I think that this will show that I am appreciative of their sincerity and action. Also If someone cuts in front of me I try to think that maybe they are in a rush. I try to believe that they had a reason for doing so instead of jumping to the conclusion that they are simply horrid drivers.

Everyday I wake up and tell myself to try to be a supportive driver all day behind the wheel. I think that I am improving each time but there are those few moments when I lost control. I think that this shows that I am trying really hard to change but it will take time. I think that I am putting my one hundred percent effort and working very hard. I think that these are just bad habits and am trying to change my way of thing. Maybe one day I will become a full fledged supportive driver.

I grew up driving in Hilo and I have to say that driving in Oahu is so much different. I think that the traffic here is really bad and the people are so crazy. Everyone is trying to get ahead and make it to their destination first. Its extremely difficult to be a supportive driver here and I have to work ten times as hard to stay in control. I do have to say that if everyone was a supportive driver that traffic would possibly flow better.

I know that I want to change for myself and in doing so I believe that I will be a more safe driver. I am more open to people’s criticisms and opinions. I actually welcome them and take them into heart. I want to change so that when I have my own children I will be a better example for them. I think that we should implement driving psychology into elementary or intermediate school. I really do believe that if people learn this at a young age it will be more effective. I do think that some people are just too far into their thinking to change. I am trying to get my friends and family to realize the dangers of aggressive driving and road rage. I hope that this class become more known worldwide. I know that having this knowledge is beneficial.

My first piece of advice to future generations would be to not procrastinate. I know that this is the first and sometimes only thing that past students will say but it is very true. If you hold off writing this paper you will stress yourself out and only cause more work. By writing this paper a little at a time you will be able to do it at a steady pace. You may even complete it early than you really have nothing to worry about. Also, you may even learn new things and go back and write more. This will give you even more pages and body content.

I also have to say that when it comes to the outlines you need to be on time and responsible. You need to check due dates and commit yourself into being responsible. Dr. James will not remind you to do your outlines each week you need to remember and stay on task. I think that you need to come into this class being mature and having a open mind. Driving psychology is not for everyone and you need to be willing to hear a new perspective.

It will also help you get to know your other classmates. This way you will have someone else to double check on the outline due dates. If you have question with the internet, web pages, or the posting of would someone can assist you. It will make you more comfortable in your presentations. Plus you will have one group assignment so it will definitely help when it comes to that.

I will say that you do need to come to class every period to get the full effect. If you do you will learn new life skills. This class opens your mind to new ideas and changes your outlook on things. I know that this class is changing me. I really recommend this class and encourage you to stick to this class. Give it time and you will become more computer literate, a better psychology student, and a better individual in general.

My Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2006/alcover/alcover-home.htm
G25 Class Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/classhome-g25.htm