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Report 2
My Report on Driving Psychology
By Justin Koito
Instructions for this report are at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/409a-g25-report2.htm
I am answering Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Dr. Leon James, Instructor
December 2006
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The Question I am
answering is Question 1
(a) Contrast
our two textbooks: Road Rage and Aggressive Driving (James and Nahl),
and Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer (Peter
Rothe, Editor). Name some ways they are similar, and some ways they are
different. Would either text be suitable for high school students?
(b) Discuss
in what way these ideas can help solve society's driving problems. Be specific:
describe the main problems (use some statistics) and how can particular ideas
in these two books help solve those problems.
(c) Describe the
reactions of friends when you tell them about driving personality makeovers and
its psychological and social context.
Answers…
Question 1 subpart (a) Contrast our
two textbooks: Road Rage and Aggressive Driving (James and Nahl), and Driving
Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer (Peter Rothe, Editor).
Name some ways they are similar, and some ways they are different. Would either
text be suitable for high school students?
When comparing and contrasting the two books, there are some similarities and some difference that occur amongst the book. To start, some of the similarities of the books are that they both address the problem of road rage and the need to modify both the driver self and the surroundings. Another similarity instance occurs in chapter eight of the Driving Lessons and chapter twelve of the Road Rage book. In these chapters, it describes the problem of the types of vehicles that may be risky and the factors interact with the types of vehicle to create an aggressive atmosphere.
When contrasting the two books, the distinct feature of the Road Rage book is that it addresses the personal problems. Such problem include driving age, mental health, driving personalities, three step program, etc. The Road Rage book deals with the awareness of the problems with the individual self and how to modify the behaviors to help contribute to safer driving conditions.
The Driving Lessons differs because the book focuses more on outside environmental factors and other drivers. Such focuses include people’s occupation, red-light cameras, environmental versus rural problems, cell phone usage, etc. This book is very informative to people about the outside dangers they should avoid, but not to take it in the perspective that all traffic incidents are everyone else’s fault.
I think that both books
would be suitable for high school students.
With both books combined, the students will be able to get a well
rounded picture of personal driving aggression and outside environmental aggression. The Driving Lessons book is more technical
while the Road Rage book gets the reader involved. I think that the Road Rage book would be more
appealing to high school students because at they age, they are self-centered
and the book focuses on the individual’s driving problems.
Question 1 subpart (b) Discuss in
what way these ideas can help solve society's driving problems. Be specific:
describe the main problems (use some statistics) and how can particular ideas
in these two books help solve those problems.
One of the main problems with driving today is the way people are dealing with their stress or aggression. For example, women are statistically known to be more emotional than men. With the increase of women drivers by 50%, there can be more conflicts on the road. Also, 59% of men and 57% of women admitted that they swear or name call other drivers. This is going to be an even greater problem as the population of the world continues to grow.
The books can not fully solve the problem, but can help many drivers out there become supportive drivers rather than aggressive drivers. One way the book mentions of people become better drivers is to be able to realize that driving is a set of complex behaviors, know the three domains of a person (affective, cognitive, sensorimotor), and that we are influenced by our parents and culture. With drivers being able to realize these details, I believe that more drivers will start to understand the nature of driving and what real way they are suppose to act in driving instances.
Another problem is that drivers have difficulty in the three step driving program. It seems that everyone needs to go through these steps, but people will complain that in their busy day life, people do not have time to analyze themselves. People will also complain that they are competent drivers and that there is not a need to change their ways. Others may feel that because everyone else drivers aggressively, they have developed a kill or be killed mentality. Overall, people are hesitant to take time out from their lives to try and improve a basic skill.
The books can help aid the
three step program by putting it into simple forms for people to
understand. An example would be the
simple chart of the AWM approach. If the
people are able to learn the acronym, it is easier for people to remember what
it stands for and what needs to be done to change their attitude with a simple
mind set change. Along with the AWM
approach, the book can also help to point out the people’s faults of thinking
that they do not have to do anything to change the way they drive. Hopefully after pointing out the faults,
people will take the next step and try out the AWM approach.
Question 1 (c) Describe the reactions of
friends when you tell them about driving personality makeovers and its
psychological and social context.
When describing to my friends about driving makeovers and its psychological and social context, they believed that the information presented made sense. The problem they had was that people do not pay attention to the information. People do not pay attention to the information because it is viewed as common sense so people take aggressive driving problems lightly. Along with common sense, everyone is brought up to be a strong individual and that is what creates the egotism in everyone.
After listing some of the methods to
combat aggressive driving, my friends thought that if there was a way to force
people to learn the information, people start to be less aggressive
drivers. Along with forcing people to
learn the information, stricter punishments for violators would seem to help
make people realize that aggressive driving is not something that should be
taken lightly. Lastly, my friends think
that they themselves need to change, but they do not know how long they can
continue to self-witness and self-modify themselves.
The Question I am
answering is Question 2
a) Search Google News section, for “road
rage.” Describe what you see. Is it a general phenomenon? How do you react?
b) How do you explain what’s going on – using
driving psychology theory. Connect what
you found in the news with the problems and solutions you discuss in Question
1.
c) Tell your friends about what you
found. Describe their reaction
Answers…
Question 2 subpart a)
Search Google News section, for “road rage.”
Describe what you see. Is it a
general phenomenon? How do you react?
In the
article that I read, Road
rage incidents becoming common in Mumbai too, it gave information on
city road rage in the city of
When you
look at mob rage of
According
to Pritish Nandy, he believes that road rage is not because of the person, but
the management of traffic and roads.
Nandy thinks that educating the people are not going to do
anything. When he describes himself, he
is the perfect example of an aggressive driver.
He says that he avoids confrontation, but if confronted, he will not
have a hard time unleashing his aggressive tendencies on others. The reason for
What was
interesting about the trial is that the Rammage’s daughter
The next article that I read, BMW driver charged in road rage case, told of a man William Lopez-Cruz who could not control his road rage. Mistakes were made on both Lopez’s side and the other driver. It was said by a witness and the other driver that Lopez was tailgating the driver in the front while in the left lane. Since Lopez was frustrated, he pulled alongside the other driver’s car and hit the other driver. In the end, Lopez had to pay a fine of $3,500. Whether or not it was provoked or not, no one should take aggressive actions to that limit.
The BMW
article brought up some points that need to be pointed out. The first thing that should be brought up is
the type of car driven. Since the
aggressor was in an expensive sports car, it was known that these types of
owners have more aggressive tendencies.
Another point is that the passenger that got hit was not a defensive
driver. If he knew he was going slower
than others in the left lane, he should have moved over lanes to allow the
other drivers to pass. Lastly, if the man
drives a BMW, it is known that he has money and a fine of $3,500 might not be
enough to curb his aggressive driving.
In the next article, Women denies swearing during road rage incident, it told of how a woman known as M.R. is being prosecuted in Dubai for slandering her compatriot known as A.S. Previously, A.S. was sentenced to one month in jail for making rude gestures at her previously. According to the taxi driver witness, M.R. did not give any type of gesture to A.S. Instead, he honked at A.S. to speed up and A.S. got out of the car to confront them. After a heated debate, A.S. was the one who made the gesture.
When
looking at the types of drivers in
The article, Residents’ Road Rage, shows how a community in Farnworth is pushing to have something done about their street. The street is only supposed to be used for an access-only route, but people are using it as a short cut to avoid traffic. Normal people do not pay attention while driving on the street because they are more focused on trying to avoid the traffic. Since people are not focusing on the driving task in front of them, a seven year old boy was struck by a car. The driver was not a resident, but a driver that was trying to take shortcut around traffic.
The article brings up a good example of how people with aggressive tendencies put everyone in danger. In the instance of the driver striking the seven year old boy, the driver exhibited many symptoms of risky driving. Such activities that were committed were multitasking, not paying attention to what is in front of you, and overall aggressive actions. The good news is that the community is banding together to make drivers more aware of the problem and having the government get involved. If others get word of the community, it might be a self-witnessing incident and may modify their behavior.
After reading these articles and browsing a few others, I find that the phenomenon of aggressive driving is common in every part of the world. People are constantly swearing and making rude gestures. Along with swearing and rude gestures, many people take vigilantly actions. The real aggressive drivers go as far as to harming someone of even killing the other person. All signs of aggressive drivers play in effect on the types of personality and what types of cars that are driven. There is no one part of the world where road rage does not exist.
My reaction to the whole aggressive driving situation is a shock. I always thought of road rage as someone who goes to the extreme of trying to run someone off the road or trying to injury another. I now feel that aggressive driving, in any form, is a problem in society. Road rage needs to be curbed or prevented in one form or another. The government, community, and individual drivers need to all pitch in and work towards safer driving conditions and preventing road rage. All the people in the article should be allowed to get off on fines or jail time. The aggressive drivers need to also be educated about their problems.
Question 2 subpart b)
How do you explain what’s going on – using driving psychology theory. Connect what you found in the news with the
problems and solutions you discuss in Question 1.
What I noticed about what is going on with driving today, is that driving has become somewhat a game to most people. As children, we are influenced by the family, culture, and media around us. When we become adults, we exhibit the same driving tendencies as what we have learned from those around us. Aggressive driving is a game in the sense that a game is suppose to be challenging. Drivers view other drivers as a challenge and think that they will be able to be rewarded or have some type of satisfaction by beating the other driver.
Besides
viewing driving as a game, aggressive drivers do not realize that they are the
ones who have the problem. In the
example of Rammage’s daughter Tracy, she does not believe her father was at
fault for killing Christopher Johnson.
Another example is the man known as A.S. in
When people start to driver sports cars, they feel a sense of power. The drivers believe that everyone should get out of the way because they own higher end cars. With this mentality, people who driver sports cars are more likely to commit aggressive actions. In driving psychology, it was said that people who are more likely to commit aggressive actions are those who driver sports cars and lights trucks. The example of the BMW driver is an example of a person feeling empowered by the wheel. If someone does not “bow down” to the BMW driver, he takes it as an offense and commits an aggressive action.
What I noticed in that each of the articles nowhere was it mentioned that any driver had education about themselves. Each incident told of the reasons why the driver was provoked. None of the drivers were able to self-witness their actions. I think that if the drivers were to go through the process of self-witnessing and self-modifying, there will be less road rage around the world. The drivers will be more considerate of other drivers on the road and how to avoid confrontations. Also, the drives will be more aware of how life is valuable.
If the drivers were to go through the self-witness and self-modifying approach, each driver would have to modify the Threefold Self. At each stage, the drive will need to make changes to the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor self. This may pose a challenge to drivers in large cities because not all drivers will want to go through the self improvement. Being in such a large city will hard to avoid confrontations constantly. Once someone is an aggressive driver, they are an aggressive driver for life. It will be hard to not retaliate to other driver’s actions when the other driver is at fault.
Another
point that the articles need to address, is the need for education programs in
each country. It seems that there are a
few people who think that education needs to start at infant levels. When people grow older, they are going to
exhibit the traits that they have grown accustomed to. In the article with Pritish Nandy, he
disagrees and thinks that educating people is not the problem. He is completely wrong in his beliefs because
who ultimately is behind the wheel making the decisions? Road conditions can be improved, but that
still does not change the mentality of the aggressive drivers.
Question 2 subpart c)
Tell your friends about what you found.
Describe their reaction
After describing to my friends the whole situation and the problem, they agreed with me that there is a problem. My friends see aggressive driving done in everyday situations. If aggressive driving can be seen in everyday driving near us, it is not hard to believe that it is happening around the world. One of my friends gave an example of an aggressive driver just yesterday. She told me that she was on a street that had only one lane. She was already near the end and another driver came in from the opposite direction. Since she did not move the driver gave her the finger.
Another example that my friend had was with an aggressive driver. When she was going home, she did not drive fast enough in the far right hand lane for the aggressive driver. The aggressive driver then pulled next to her, gave her the finger, and kept trying to run her off the road. The driver continued to tailgate her. After ten minutes of trying to get away, she had to call all of us. He finally discontinued the stalking when she reached my house where there were people with bats and other weapons waiting for him.
This example showed how aggressive drivers. Also, we ourselves made the mistake of taking a chance at confrontation with the aggressive driver. I told all of my friends that instead of taking risks, we should have got his license plate number and reported it to the local authority. After telling them what we should have done, my friends and I were able to change our whole attitude on situations like the one mentioned. It is not only the aggressive driver who has to be able to self-witness and self-modify, but the bystanders and non-aggressive drivers alike.
Some of my other friends did not
share the same view as me and others. My
friend Ian feels that no one should be given a chance if they commit an
aggressive action. Basically he was
trying to say that nothing goes unpunished.
He still holds the belief that the authorities do not have harsh penalties
to make aggressive drivers realize their actions, so aggressive drivers need to
be woken up through physical or psychological violence. Maybe someday he will realize that he is
continuing the problem rather than helping the problem.
The Question I am
answering is Question 3
a) Select some student reports at www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/499s2003/newsgroups
Discuss your reactions to what they did – their ideas, their method, and their
explanations. What did they gain from
doing their reports? How do their ideas
influence what you yourself think about these issues?
b) Now go to Google Groups search and type in
“driving.” See if you can corroborate
the conclusions of the student reports which were done several years ago. Is it still going on the same way?
Answers…
Question 3 subpart a)
Select some student reports at www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/499s2003/newsgroups
Discuss your reactions to what they did – their ideas, their method, and their
explanations. What did they gain from
doing their reports? How do their ideas
influence what you yourself think about these issues?
Janice Kamm: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/499s2003/newsgroups/newsgroup72.html#ng1
In Janice’s
report, there were three incidents that popped out. The first incident involved people
rubbernecking. The reason that the
people were causing traffic was not because of an accident, but everyone wanted
to see the ball of dust. The ball of
dust is not the only thing people pay attention to, but they pay attention to
accidents or simple traffic stops. Especially
in
Another incident talked about a bill that would make speeding a felony. In order for driving to be labeled as speeding, the driver must be going ten miles per hour over the speed limit. Janice said that the problem lies with aggressive drivers and those are the ones who should get the attention of the police. She is also concerned that the number of aggressive drivers is increasing at an alarming rate. Although there were no other methods or explanations for combating this problem, she came to the conclusion that making speeding a felony is a way to combat the problem for now.
The last
incident that struck me was an incident involving a driver who did not turn on
his headlights while raining in the far left lane. Driving slowly in the far left hand lane
irritates people despite weather conditions.
In the incident, the poor weather conditions and driver led to angry
thoughts by another driver. Janice said
the explanation for the driver was that he/she could have just been extra
cautious and did not know his headlights were off. Instead of the other driver getting upset,
Janice recommended that he could have let the other driver know that the
headlights needed to be turned on.
When Janice was doing the reports, she seemed to get a better understanding of what her personality is like. Although she feels that she has control of her driving, the control does not seem to be completely there. The thought of people that rubberneck still bother her. Aside from inconsiderate drivers, she seems to give people the benefit of the doubt. She is slow to act rashly and believes that there is an explanation for the people’s misdoing on their part. Lastly, Janice seems to have gained a greater concern for the aggressive drivers and for the traffic situations.
After
reading her report, some of the ideas such as putting up a barrier to prevent
people from on looking is a far out idea.
To most people, spending the tax payers extra money on barriers would be
a waste of money to most people.
Although I disagree with the barriers that want to be put up, I do agree
with the fact that there are inconsiderate and an aggressive driving problem
amongst people today. Another part that
has opened my eyes would be to try and give people the benefit of the
doubt. I think I should try to
understand the reasons behind someone’s driving that I may consider
inconsiderate.
Newsgroup 13: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/499s2003/newsgroups/newsgroups13.html
In the newsgroup that was discussed, the author decided to base his report on the word love and long distance relationships. He first discusses the actual newsgroups. In the newsgroups, people participate in them because it gives people a sense of family. There are other people out there in the world that may be in the same situation and it helps to know that you are not alone. In the newsgroups, individuals share their experiences and support one another to make it through the tough times. Through the experiences and support, the various people can form a “family.”
When the author decided to post up in the newsgroup, he talks about how he has a long distance relationship with a girl. A respondent lets him know that he is not the only one in the situation. The respondent Crysta lets him know that she is a single mother travel agent who does not have the money to go see the one she loves. Although she can not see the other person, she is able to keep a long distance relationship and she knows not to take anything for granted. With this experience, the author is able to feel a sense of happiness knowing that a long distance relationship can work.
When discussing the people’s reactions to questions on a newsgroup, there are mixed reviews about the situation. Each person bases his/her answer on personal experiences, ideas, or thoughts. The benefit of mixed reviews is that people’s various opinions can help even though they are complete strangers. Some people may feel more heated than others on certain issues. Although the author’s conclusion may not be the same as others, he can at least piece together his own understanding of how to deal with love and long distance relationships.
In the end, the author learned a great deal from doing the report. The author learned that there are other people out there in the world that share the same situations. He also learned that everyone has a different opinion on various topics. He believes that newsgroups are a good way to voice opinions on topics and to get information on how to deal with certain situations. One of the most important things that the author learned was a better understanding of what the word love is. The other important information he picked up was the positive and negatives of a long distance relationship.
After reading this report, I see the real reason behind newsgroups. Aside from getting technical information when needed, it is a place for many people that want to express themselves. Along with expressing themselves, people are allowed to gather information to help cope with situations. I admit that when it comes to cars, I post in newsgroups to get a further understanding of the technical aspects and to receive help when I am working on a car and I reach a point where I do not know what to do next. In the end, with the internet, everyone needs to participate in newsgroups to feel grounded.
Jason Thompson: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/499s2003/newsgroups/newsgroups15.html
In Jason Thompson’s approach to newsgroups, he focused on three aspects that interested him. The first instance was on wine. When he inquired in a newsgroup, he was hoping to find information and books on how to produce wine and how to store it. The newsgroup to him showed him that people around the world are trying to do the same thing. By posting up in the newsgroups, he was able to read about how other people are actually trying to build wine cellars. He was impressed the most by the shock that there were hardcore enthusiast.
The next
newsgroup he went on to was driving. It
was not focused so much on driving, but the English language. In other countries, drunk driving has its own
name. In a newsgroup, someone posted
that in
The last
area of interested was his specialty, surfing.
He was able to learn that people around the world were interested in
upcoming surf reports for
The last section of his report discussed how the newsgroups have multiple uses. The way the newsgroups are used is for informative, entertainment, and social life. When people use newsgroups to be informative, it is to gather information on a specific topic. The entertainment side of newsgroups is somewhat similar to recreation. Users look up random articles that seem to be of interest to them and they can respond to the articles. The last use is the social life. The newsgroups are used for social life by networking with others. An example could be myspace.com. People use that site to keep in touch with friends and to meet new people.
After doing the report, Jason learned a lot of new information about newsgroups. He learned how to access news groups and how informative they can be. It has helped him understand that other people have just as much knowledge and it is easier to converse with people on the same level as him. His recommendation for future generations is to keep an open mind while on newsgroups and to explore various newsgroups. Lastly, Jason recommends searching ones hobbies because it can be beneficial for expanding knowledge about the topic.
When analyzing Jason’s report, I found that he basically thinks the same thing I do. I agree that there are multipurpose for newsgroups. They can be used for technical information as well as recreational purposes. By reading his article, it has strengthened my understanding and usage of newsgroups. Along with strengthening my understanding and usage, it has also reminded me other people in the world. Not everyone in the world may understand what I am talking about because they may have a different slang for it. I believe it is beneficial to look around on newsgroups to gain a better understanding of what ever information is being inquired.
Question 3 subpart b)
Now go to Google Groups search and type in “driving.” See if you can corroborate the conclusions of
the student reports which were done several years ago. Is it still going on the same way?
When visiting google groups, I came to the conclusion that the student reports I read about have a basic theme in common with one another about newsgroups. In each of the reports, it shows how newsgroups can be used for information, entertainment, and social interactions. The newsgroups allows people to discuss other around the world on various topics. There will be various opinions due to everyone having their own personalities and experiences. What makes newsgroups beneficial is that there are no limitations on speech. A person is free to express his/her opinions.
Newsgroups are still being conducted in the same manner as in previous years. Methods of communications are getting more sophisticated so that newsgroups become more personal. An example would be the widespread use of video conferencing through the use of web cameras. When you look at it, newsgroups are still being conducted in the same manner. While on the google groups, I was able to find various topics written in the same fashion as in previous years. Some topics that were researched were insurance quote information, reliability of cloning automobile performance parts, and the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive.
Newsgroups are growing. The basic concept is simple, but the amount of enthusiast are growing constantly daily. With sites linking to each other, many users can form strong bonds with people and allow them to meet a larger number of people that share the same interest. Information in newsgroups are limitless. With improving technology, people are always going to share the new ideas. An example would be the fuel management for a turbo Celica. Right now the Apexi Power FC is the best, eventually new technology will overtake it and people will need to share information with each other on how to use the device and the best way to tune.
Although
newsgroups may vary due to language differences, it is still conducted in the
same fashion. Someone will always have a
question and there will be others who have years of knowledge about the subject. With the sharing of international
information, people are able to get a better understanding on such topics as
how the government works or any type of wrong doings. I believe that in the next five years,
technology will improve but the basic principle of newsgroups will remain the
same. As long as people have curiosity,
newsgroups will never end.
The Question I am
answering is Question 4
(a) Consider
Table 4 in the Lecture Notes at www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/409a-g25-lecture-notes.htm#Charts
Read the Section titled "The AWM Approach in Driver
Self-Modification" where Table 4 is located. In your own words
summarize what it is about.
(b) Now
select the norms that characterize your threefold self as a driver, passenger,
or pedestrian.
(c) Try the
AWM procedure on at least two trips or episodes. What is your conclusion? How
can this approach be promoted in our society?
Answers…
Question 4 subpart (a) Consider Table
4 in the Lecture Notes at www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/409a-g25-lecture-notes.htm#Charts
Read the Section titled "The AWM Approach in Driver
Self-Modification" where Table 4 is located. In your own words
summarize what it is about.
A: Acknowledge you have a problem
W: self-witness yourself committing and aggressive action
M: modify your behavior to the right behavior
The AWM approach in driver self-modification is a text that discusses the approach people should take in them to better improve their driving capabilities. Everyone has a problem with their personality and the AWM approach gives people a way to deal with their problems. After going through the AWM approach, drivers are more aware of their own negative habits and will start to see less aggressive tendencies in themselves.
Along with the AWM approach, drivers are informed of the basic driving principles. The principles are to know that driving is a complex behaviors, there are three domains of driving norms, and that driving is influenced by family and culture. The main part to realize is the three domains of driving norms: affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor. The three domains make up a drivers personality. It involves everything from simple thought processes to actual physical actions that a driver commits when following on emotion.
The acknowledge awareness is involved to combat aggressive norms and promote positive and cooperative roles. The cognitive awareness is to help to self-train and self-improve ones self. The sensorimotor awareness is used to reinforce our behaviors throughout the rest of our lives. As we practice better driving techniques, we continue to improve who we are as drivers. Although there is no such thing as a perfect driver, people can continue to become improved and better drivers. Driving is like a knife, it must constantly be sharpened in order to keep it close to its peak performance.
Although people go through
the self-improvement process, they can also get extra support through support
groups such as Quality Driving Circles.
These groups of people help each other deal with their aggressive
tendencies and give notices of various aggressive driving habits being
exhibited by other drivers. By knowing
that you are not alone in the world is comforting for many people to know so it
is easier to admit the mistakes and be able to take the step forward to do
something about their problem.
Question 4 subpart (b) Now select the
norms that characterize your threefold self as a driver, passenger, or
pedestrian.
Driver
Affective: support retribution ethics, value territoriality
Cognitive: inaccurate risk assessment
Sensorimotor: suffer lapses (i.e. sleepiness, distraction, not paying attention)
Passenger
Affective: intolerance of diversity
Cognitive: low or undeveloped level of moral involvement
Sensorimotor: automatized
habits (i.e. unaware of own style and risk)
Pedestrian
Affective: disrespect for drivers
Cognitive: self-serving explanation of driving incidents
Sensorimotor: error of perception
In each of these incidents
where I was a driver, passenger, and pedestrian, I noticed that I have a
problem regardless of which role I played.
My aggressive driving has stemmed out even when I am not driving and not
in a car. These norms are not where I
want to be and I think there is a need to change soon or else I can pass all my
bad traits onto those around me. I do
not blame my family on my driving habits, but television and the people I hung
out with in high school. Regardless of
who is to blame, I need to change my own mentality.
Question 4 subpart (c) Try the AWM
procedure on at least two trips or episodes.
What is your conclusion? How can this approach be promoted in our society?
My first trip that involved the AWM approach was last week where I tried to realize that I had a problem with thinking that I was the only driver on the road trying to make a delivery for my company. I was very agitated that morning due to the lack of sleep and my co-worker always not showing up for work. Along with these problems, I was on a deadline to get all the work done before I had to leave for class. This is almost a weekly occurrence because every week I am faced with a new challenge of getting companies their product.
After trying the AWM approach in the situation, I found a sense of calm amongst all the chaos. Although I was angry, I was able to self-witness myself and change my attitude towards the day. My anger and aggression subsided and was able not worry about the time. In the end, because I was able to modify my behavior, I did not feel rotten about myself and was able to complete my work without having a single aggressive though for the rest of the day. It is too bad that I have a hard time trying to constantly continue the AWM approach.
The second incident that I tried the AWM approach was yesterday. It was the day after Thanksgiving. I noticed with the mass amounts of people at the shopping mall, it was going to be a hellish time trying to find parking. When I got to Waikele, I noticed that I was yelling and swearing at other drivers for their stupidity and the time it took to get out of their parking stalls. I also was muttering to myself and did not want to hear anything comments from my girlfriend. Overall, I was a one hundred percent aggressive driver.
Trying to follow through with the AWM approach yesterday was just not possible for me. While trying to look for parking, I tried a few times to self-witness and modify myself, but it was too overwhelming that everyone was out to screw you over. I may have failed at curbing my anger, but I do not see it as a total loss. I think that as long as I was able to conduct the AWM approach, it is a start to becoming a better driver. Hopefully soon, I will be able to conduct the AWM approach on subconscious level.
The AWM approach can be
promoted in our society through the use of making it mandatory to know on a driver’s
license test, both written and physical.
Another way that it can be promoted is through the teaching at
schools. If it is taught early enough,
it can combat the negative influence that other people and culture can have on
a child. Even in anger management
classes, it will be worth teaching.
People who have to go to these classes obviously have a larger chance of
raging. Lastly, the government can get
involved by public service announcements and billboards that promote the AWM
approach. People tend to learn things
quicker through acronyms and constant reminders.
The Question I am
answering is Question 5
(a) Our
textbook Road Rage and Aggressive Driving has checklist exercises in
several chapters. Have a friend do the following four exercises:
(i) Exercise
on Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings on p. 65-66
(ii) Exercise on Are You an Aggressive Competitor on p. 104-5
(iii) Exercise on Positive Driving Behaviors on p. 212-3
(iv) Exercise on Your Passive Aggressive Road Rage Tendency on p. 88-9
(b) Discuss
the results with your friends. How do you explain the results? Where did they
get this style of reacting and driving? How do they help you understand some
principles of driving psychology mentioned in the book?
(c) Discuss
how this activity helps you to become more aware of yourself as a driver.
Answers…
Question 5 subpart (a) Our textbook Road
Rage and Aggressive Driving has checklist exercises in several chapters.
Have a friend do the following four exercises:
(i) Exercise
on Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings on p. 65-66
(ii) Exercise on Are You an Aggressive Competitor on p. 104-105
(iii) Exercise on Positive Driving Behaviors on p. 212-213
(iv) Exercise on Your Passive Aggressive Road Rage Tendency on p. 88-89
These four exercises were given to my girlfriend Han to figure out how she is as a driver on the road.
(i) selected: 4,6,8,19,25
(ii) selected: 4,8
(iii) selected 9,12,and 13
(iv) selected 7,9,10
Question 5 subpart (b) Discuss the
results with your friends. How do you explain the results? Where did they get
this style of reacting and driving? How do they help you understand some
principles of driving psychology mentioned in the book?
In (i), I noticed that she has road rage, but it is not the type that would go out and retaliate on a physical level. I let her know that she has a real problem with letting her emotional side of her get the best of every situation. She seems to feed off of her negative energy and it shows because she admitted that when she is under stress, she takes it out on others. Due to her feeding off of the negative emotions, she has little respect for those on the road with her.
When doing exercise (ii), I explained to her that she blames other drivers for all incidents that she is involved in. Another problem that I addressed to her was that she does not ever feel that there is a need of self responsibility for her.
The results of excise (iii) show that when trying to self improve, she knows what she needs to do to become a better driver. She also knows her limitations on how far she would go to try and become a supportive driver. There is a side to her that would like to improve, but does not know if it is worth doing.
For the final exercise (iv), I found out that she has a self-serving bias and that everyone should be catering to her. The example of taking her time and not caring how long she made other drivers was a clear distinct feature of herself. I always tell her that she thinks she is the queen of the road and that she needs to learn that there are other drivers on the road.
After discussing with her
all of the exercises, I went on to try and figure out why she has this driving
personality. I told her that one reason
she might have a higher aggression is that she is from
Aside from where she was
from and my influence, I think that her job also plays a role in her aggressive
personality. Having to deal with
customers at a retail store constantly, she is irritated by everyone who comes
in and messes up the store. At the end
of the day, she is glad to get off of work and feels a bit of tension in her
because of all the bad customers she had to help today. Along with the stress at work, the pressure
from her parents and school also play factors.
Since there is much pressure on her to succeed , she feels she can use
any method necessary to release her tension.
Question 5 subpart (c) Discuss how
this activity helps you to become more aware of yourself as a driver.
After having Han do the exercises, it has made me aware of my own faults. It has made me realize that I might not be a full positive influence on her. Knowing that she is starting to learn my bad behaviors, it has encouraged me to try and modify myself so that she does not continue to learn only my bad habits. Along with knowing that I am an influencing factor, I was able to self-witness some of my bad qualities through her. After hearing her discuss each answer she chose, I realized that it sounds illogical to think this way.
The exercises has also made me realize that I myself should not be so self-centered. I noticed that a lot of her bad traits, I resemble the same. I too do not care how long I take when driving. I do not mind people waiting for me to do whatever I am doing. This is an attitude I need to change. I do not intend to try and rush driving, but to be more understanding that there are people behind of me being patient in allowing me to accomplish my driving task.
Lastly, it has made me
realize that I am in a way a hypocrite.
I know what needs to be changed and say that this is what needs to be
changed, but I do not do anything about it.
Through Han’s exercises, I know I have to take the next step and try to
modify my behavior so that I do not view myself anymore as a hypocrite, but
view myself as an role model to those who also suffer from the hypocrisies of
themselves.
My Report on the
Previous Generation
Jenny Arakaki:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2004/arakaki/report2.htm
After reading Jenny’s report, I noticed that her report was different from mine by conducting a self assessment. The way she conduct her assessment was in an experiment. When the assessment was complete, she was able to break everything down into various charts to explain her behavior. A self assessment seems to be better for yourself because it is easier to teach yourself to change rather than try to teach someone who might not want to change. Lastly, I noticed that she put much emphasis on scofflaw. People disregarding traffic signs and laws is a large factor in aggressive driving.
Although her report took a different approach than my own, there were some similar points that were made. Her emphasis was also on learning how to become a supportive driver. When becoming a supportive driver, the basic aspect of a person should be known. She was able to identify the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor self. The identification of the selves helps for a person to realize that driving is a complex set of tasks and it takes many parts of our self to drive a car.
Evaluating her overall understanding, it seems that she understands the problems with an individual and a change needed for the self to become better. Jenny wants to become a supportive driver because she is also conducting the AWM approach. By trying to conduct an experiment on her is the first step to acknowledging she has a problem and self-witnessing the act. In the end, she is willing to modify her ways in order to become the supportive driver.
Mark Corupz:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2004/corpuz/report2.htm
Mark Corupz report differed from any self-modification report that I have done because I have not had to deal with a person who drives under the influence. By him admitting that he drivers under the influence, there is more of a need for him to change his driving personality. Along with driving under the influence, he admits that he retaliates against other drivers and verbal road rage. This differs from my report because the people that I had interviewed do not have an aggression problem in the form of physical violence. In Mark’s case, he is a road hazard.
His report does have similarities despite his over aggressive self. Mark mentions of the selves. He gives mention to the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor self. If Mark was able to take control of all three selves, he will be able to become more of a supportive driver and slowly start to do away with his physical retaliations. He may still have mental retaliations, but at least he will have less of a chance of putting others in harms way.
Evaluating his report, it seems that he knows ways to avoid getting angry to the point where he needs to take physical action against other drivers. The problem with knowing the ways is that it is not solving the problem, but trying to avoid any confrontation. The road rage in Mark will still be there as long as he does not see a need to change his mentality. By putting a block on aggressive tendencies can only hold so much. There might come a day when he will not be able to control himself and the road rage will erupt into a larger retaliation than what has already been done.
Ikue Fukushima:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2004/fukushima/report2.htm
Ikue’s report had some difference than mine. She does not drive, so her understanding comes from a person who does not know what it is like to be a driver. I have addressed the AWM approach consisting of acknowledging you have a problem, self-witnessing, and modifying the behavior. In his report, she addresses the acknowledging the problem and witnessing. When she conducted her experiment on the boyfriend, it seems that she realized all of her problems, but her boyfriend did not make any real changes towards the way that he drove.
One similarity that I was able to point out was that between the person that I had interviewed and the person she did, they are both aggressive drivers. Both people that were interviewed had aggressive tendencies when they were challenged by other drivers on the road. I think that aggression is built in to everyone and there is no way of avoiding becoming aggressive drivers. Aggressive driving seems that it is a built in trait into humans like an instinct.
After reading her full report, I noticed that she is able to go through the AWM approach, but her boyfriend has only been informed of the problems. She mentions that she has tried to modify her boyfriend’s behavior, but if he himself does not want to become a supportive driver, there is no point in trying to change the way he drivers. I think that the focus should have been on physically changing her boyfriend rather than trying to teach him how to become a better driver.
Hiroko Kikuchi:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2004/kikuchi/report%202.htm
Hiroko’s report was different form mine because she conducted an experiment on herself. When she conducted her experiment, she used tables to monitor different aspects of her driving throughout the week. For example, she made a table to monitor how many times she swore each day of the week. After gathering all the information, she was able to apply her scores to a scoring system. The scoring system that was used determined the severity of the road rage. It ranged from not being an aggressive drive to one who is out of control.
Some of the similarities I saw between our reports, was the reiteration of the driver three fold self. Also, self-witnessing is another important aspect when becoming a supportive driver. I think that every person’s report shares the two important points of the drivers threefold self and the AWM approach. Another point that I found similar was that everyone who takes this class realizes that they have road rage and a change is needed. Everyone is shocked in the beginning to find out that they do have a problem, but will gradually learn to become better drivers.
In Hiroko’s conclusion, it reveals that her understanding of driving has greatly improved. At first, she admits that she was a timid person who did not have road rage. After going through the whole class and doing the reports, she has found herself to be the total opposite of what she envisioned of herself. Not all hope is lost for because she is now taking the information she knows and is applying it to driver self-improvement. I feel as though she understands that driver self-improvement is a life long process and not a one time deal.
When looking at the generational curriculum, I feel that none of the information that is already presented should be left out. Each piece of information is needed to help people figure out how to improve them and to be aware of other driver’s bad habits. When knowing how people will react to certain situations, the next move is in the hands of the improved driver. If the driver has not improved, the driver will take a negative approach to the situation. A reformed driver will take a civil action that will prevent any confrontation.
My
suggestion to changing the curriculum is to have everyone fill out evaluation
forms and be classified as a certain type of drivers. Although the curriculum is great the way it
is, more of the modifying of the behavior from the AWM approach should be
enforced. If people who take the class
and realize they need a change, they should have support to figure out ways to
modify the behavior. Each class session
is similar to a QDC group, but it is not the same when not everyone has to
share experiences. By everyone having to
participate, it will help people to feel more comfortable in going through the
AWM approach.
Advice to Future
Generations
In finishing up the psychology 409a class, I have some advice for future generations to come on what to do to succeed in the class. The next group who takes this should come in with an open mind. Although everyone already has their own driving personality, they should first know that no one is perfect. There is always room for improvement. Students should know that it may seem like this class will make you a worse driver than before, but it actually is the beginning of the AWM approach. The class will help to show yourself acknowledging that you have a problem.
A more technical side to succeeding in the class involves the actual work load. As long as you are able to make a plan for the outlines to come, you will finish the outlines on time. As for the two reports, it is advisable to start the papers one month before. It is difficult to try and write a twenty page paper in one or two weeks. The final leg of the course involves the oral reports. When you have an oral report coming up, finish up what you are going to say two weeks in advance. You should practice giving the oral one week before you give it. It is nothing like going into an oral report in front of your peers and not being organized. It makes you look unprepared and ridiculous.
When sitting through each class, expect to hear statistics and personal stories about people with road rage and how to deal with it. Do not go into the class thinking that it is a one time cure, but becoming a supportive driver takes a life time. You can expect to learn parts of yourself that you never thought was there. You will mainly start to realize how bad of a driver you are and hopefully will make you realize that you need a change in attitude. The class will seem easy if you make it enjoyable. It is a lot of work, but at the same time, it is not one of those classes that are mundane.
Another thing to expect from the class is the AWM approach to be pounded into your memory. When you see other people, you will be able to explain to them that the way to start driving better is for them to acknowledge they have a problem, witness their behavior, and modify their behavior. Along with the AWM approach, you will be able to teach people that there is more than one type of norm to the psychology of driving. You can teach people that there is an affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor norm that interacts with each other to produce the action that is put out. Overall, you will be thinking: “Why is the class not taught to everyone!”
Class Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/classhome-g25.htm
My Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2006/koito/koito-home.htm