PSY 409 Outline 3
Aggression On the Road
By: Melissa Alcover
Instructions for this activity are found at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/g25-oral1.htm
Instructor: Dr. Leon James
Citation: Galovski, T. E. & Blanchard, E. B. (2004). Road rage: A domain for psychological intervention? Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal, Vol. 9, pp. 105-127.
I. Aggressive Behavior on the Road
1. Study found that accidents most frequently occur as a result from drivers’ attitude and behavior problems
A. In actuality, only 10% of all motor vehicle accidents are due to mechanical malfunctions in cars and road conditions while the other 90% are due to human factors
B. These acts include cutting in, speeding, refusing to yield right of way, driving on the wrong side of the road, and other aggressive driving behavior
C. Aggressive behavior include negligent, reckless, and antisocial
2. Stress and Annoyance can lead to minor acts of aggression
A. Range of aggression-minor, mild, extreme
3. Outcomes of aggression can be injury, property damage, and even death
II. Female vs. Male aggression
1. Sex of the frustrating driver was found to be the most influential variable
2. 52% of all drivers honked at the frustrating car when driven by a male as opposed to 71% of drivers honked at a car driven by a female who engaged in identical frustrating behavior
3. Studies show that women engaged in more covert, less detectable forms of aggression (losing temper, feeling as if they could kill the other driver, feeling annoyed, swearing aloud) than men
4. Men engaged in more overtly aggressive behavior (flashing headlights in anger, making rude gestures, giving chase to another driver, and retaliation)
III. Temperature in Driver Stress
1. Temperature has been studied as a source of stress influencing hostility and aggression while driving
2. Increases in uncomfortable levels of heat are related to increases in aggression
A. Study: conducted in the months of April and August in Phoenix, Arizona, block the intersection for 12 seconds
B. Results indicated a significant, linear relationship between temperature and aggression
IV. My Reaction:
I believe that aggression on the road is the largest factor in accidents. I was however, surprised that the statistic was 90%. This made me realize how important it is for all of us to learn about road rage and how we need to be more conscious of our driving behaviors. I thought that the male vs. female study in aggression was very interesting. I think that it could be the cause that men seem to be more intimidating than women that makes it easier to honk at women. In response to the temperature study, I have to agree. I know that when I am in hot weather, I am more irritable in traffic. I am also more likely to take risks to get to my destination faster. I know that air conditioning is important because before I got my new car I had to suffer in the heat. Now that I have AC I am a little bit more patient than before.
Links:
This link takes you to an article that can further your knowledge as to why temperature is related to aggression. This article not only talks of vehicle crime but also touches on other crimes that are committed due to temperature including rape, murder, assault, etc.
2. http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/forwomenonly/a/aa092202b.htm
This link is about female driving statistics. I thought it this site was different because it talks about how driving is used so much more now. It states how being on the road is common. It also has more links that you can click on to view other topics.
3. http://www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0300/d000391/d000391.html
This site talks about stress issues that people experience that could relate to aggressive driving behaviors. It also talks about how depending on your gender what stress you have and how you deal with that stress.
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