Instructions for this activity are found at:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/g25-oral1.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

Citation: Peter Rothe, Editor (2002). Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer. (Edmonton: University of Alberta Press). Reviewing pages 34 to 49.

I. Self Witnessing Technique

-think-aloud verbalizations, silent verbalizations, script analysis, audio- taping study

1. Created to obtain reliable data on events in the private world of drivers

A. used in the analysis of self-witnessing reports by students in library research or internet search engines

B. report on activities (what they did, who they were)

C. mental focus (what they thought at the time, what they felt)

D. according to people’s daily lives

2. What do people usually answer

A. they write about their driving experiences

B. they type of car they drive-if its standard or automatic

C. how driving affects everyday life (stress, costs, dangers)

D. assessments and moods

E. personal driving record

3. Why this information is important

A. the information is current and on-going, present

B. later analysis of the information shows feelings, thoughts, and emotions that are concurrent with the driving experience

4. My reaction: I think that this study is very interesting. I have never been a participate in this type of study but I would like to be. I am curious to see how I would answer in certain situations and would also like to compare myself to other people. I think that I would feel silly talking into an audio- taping device while driving though so I don’t know how effective that part would be.

II. The Mental Health of Drivers

-through research using the self-witnessing reports, it reveals there is an agitated inner driving world that is full with extreme emotions and impulses seemingly triggered by small acts

1. Everyday drivers display maniacal thoughts, violent feelings, virulent speech, and physiological signs of high stress

A. this includes sadness, anger, use of profanity, yelling, hitting of things, ill wishes for other drivers

B. there are extreme physiological reactions (heart pounding, muscle spasms, wet hands)

C. there are extreme emotional reactions (panic, fear, fantasies of violence or revenge)

D. there are extreme irrational thought sequences (addressing other drivers who can’t even hear, denial of reality)

2. My Reaction: I think that driving can definitely cause an effect on mental health. I think that you can ask and driver and they would not think you were crazy if you started talking about an inner driving world completely separated with reality. I know that when I drive there are times when I can get really frustrated and start yelling or crying. I think that I swear the most when I am driving than any other time in my life. I know that if I am in an accident or almost get into one I experience the extreme physiological reactions. Just a couple of days ago I was rear-ended by a hit-and-run driver and I felt like the world was moving around me. It really felt “surreal” and after I felt faint. Than, came the anger and wishing revenge upon that driver. I think I was even yelling at him when he wasn’t even at the site anymore. Extreme irrational thought sequence? Yes, I have to agree. But, now I am back to normal.

III. Conclusion:

Yes I think we should all be more aware of the type of driver we are. I think that it would be beneficial for every driver to participate in a self witnessing study. It may not change the way one drives but it will definitely make you more conscious on your reactions and thoughts. Also, driving is more than just an everyday chore. It affects our lives emotionally and physically and we need to realize that.

IV. Links

1. http://www.laco-rewards.org/casiehyde.htm

This link takes you to a site that talks about how a car accident which resulted in the death of a sixteen year old girl named Casie Hyde and critically injured her boyfriend may have been because of a road rage incident with a truck/suv that left the scene. Her parents has a reward of $25,000 for anyone who can provide information.

2. http://www.drdriving.org/surveys/

This takes you to a website that has additional links you can click onto and read. It has what other drivers think of one another, driving differences between genders, and also has a personality driving test you can take.

3. http://ruphus.com/ihatecars/2004/09/emotions-driving-bad-mix.html

This site shows the correlation between being angry, getting behind the wheel and causing a car accident. They even show evidence of the percent of car accidents increasing after terrorist attacks.

My Homepage: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2006/alcover/alcover-home.htm

Class Homepage: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/classhome-g25.htm