Psych 409a: November 19, 2006
Car Symbolism and Interior Entertainment Affecting Our Driving
By: Kirk Ishida
Instructions for this activity are found at:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/g25-oral1.htm
Instructor: Dr. Leon James
Leon James and Diane Nahl (2000).
Road Rage and
Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare. (
I. What a car is to us
a. Study done to see what we look for
i. Normal state
1. price
2. reliability
3. comfort
4. appearance
ii. Hypnotized state
1. sense of freedom
2. sense of exhilaration that comes from driving fast
b. Car commercials advertisement
i. Uses appeals to
1. distinction
2. uniqueness
3. independence
4. superiority
ii. The message is if you buy this car you will obtain these qualities
c. See the car more then just a tool
i. Automobile poetry
ii. Nickname for cars
II. Driving Music
a. Has become a basic part of the driving experience
b. Has the power to calm or excite, or sooth or inflame us
i. Aggressive music encourages aggressive music
ii. Exaggerating emotional reactions lead to more incidents
III. In car appliances
a. Mini microwaves
b. Refrigerated glove boxes
c. Coolers
d. Trays
e. Warming cup holders
f. Trash compacters
g. Food becoming more car compatible
h. These things hamper our attention on the road
IV. Car phones
a. Several countries have restricted drivers from using cell phones while driving
b. Driving and talking can be dangerous if you don’t train yourself
i. Train yourself before you use a car
ii. While you sit in a car before driving
iii. Gradually while you are driving
1. pretend you’re calling and go through the steps
2. make training calls to a friend
3. make and receive brief calls
V. Mobile Computing
a. In-dash devices
i. Traffic alerts
ii. Phone communication
iii. Voice e-mail
iv. Global positioning system navigation
v. Theft protection
vi. Etc.
b. All of these devices we need to train ourselves to use
VI. Intelligent Transportation Systems
a. Integrate vehicle and traffic control
b. Integrate world of driving and the online world
c. Designed to reduce the driver’s involvement with certain details by taking care of routine requirements.
Links
http://www.drdriving.org/articles/music.htm A compilation of reports written by students that were overseen by Dr. James that talk about how music affects driving. In their reports they also have links to articles they found useful.
http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/ This is a website that talks about car phone bans in many different countries. What I found most interesting about this was the individual state laws we had in our country and how some states are affected way more then others
http://www.its.dot.gov/index.htm Is a website that goes into more depth about the Intelligent Transportation System. It tells you different things that have been created as well as a frequently asked question section for questions that you might have.
My Homepage: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2006/ishida/ishida-home.htm
Class Homepage: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/classhome-g25.htm