Psychology 409a,
Dream Cars and Driving Realities
By Melissa Mills
Instructions for
this activity are found at:
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.
The Drivers Image
A.
1986 Report conducted to discover hidden
(unconscious) motives for buying certain cars.
1.
Researchers compared responses to what people
reported liking about cars in a normal state and then in a hypnotized state.
a.
b.
Hypnotized State:
They said that the liberating sense of freedom and the sense of
exhilaration from driving is what were important. Precautions like seatbelts were considered
unnecessary. In there imagination,
driving in traffic was pleasant, and other drivers were perceived as friendly
and controlling wonderful machines.
c.
An idealized image of oneself in cars improves the
unacceptable reality.
B.
Car commercials appeal to unfulfilled
fantasies. (of
uniqueness, independence, superiority, etc..)
1.
The message they send is, “Own this particular car
and you’ll have these desired qualities”
2.
Buyers are influences because cars carry a certain
social identity.
3.
Ego and self image are linked with a sense of
control and power that are expressed in the names that companies give to their
models.
a.
Mustang, Blazer, Viper, Explorer, Range Rover,
Cougar, etc..
4.
Car ads use certain words to describe cars that
evoke certain emotions.
a.
wild, dream, passion, etc..
C.
Automobile poetry and nicknames for cars mirror the
passion people feel for their cars.
1.
Downside:
when these mental images are used as symbols for how one should be
driving.
2.
Automobiles portrayed as super charged with power
and competitive.
D.
How we think about cars and our reactions to
automobile ads contribute to the negative culture on highways today.
1.
Encourage status competition, aggressiveness,
hostility, disrespect, etc...
2.
Resistance to adopting a supportive driving style
because of a subconscious fear of looking like a wimp.
II.
Driving Music
A.
Sound systems are the most popular accessory in the
car and music is an important part of the driving experience.
B.
Music has the power to calm or excite. Sometimes it works to ease aggressive
thoughts and it encourages aggressive thinking.
III.
Dashboard Dining
A.
New cars are being equipped for safer and more
comfortable eating.
1.
Mini microwaves, refrigerators, coolers, trays that
fold down, warming cup holders, trash compacters, etc…
B.
Fast food restaurants are designing ways to make
eating on the road easier.
1.
In-N-Out has a lapmat, more food resembles egg rolls or burritos, McDonalds McSalad Shakers, etc…
C.
Eating while driving is common, but can be risky.
1.
18% of Americans meals are eaten in their cars.
D.
Drivers need training in order to multi task
safely.
IV.
Car Phones
A.
There are over 80 million cell phone users.
B.
1% of traffic accidents are due to car phone use
(national cost of 3 billion dollars)
C.
Many drivers use them and many drivers complain
about others who use them.
1.
distracting
D.
Driving and talking on the phone can be dangerous
1.
Industry officials suggest that drivers pull off the
road to talk on the phone.
2.
This may not be realistic.
3.
Need a self training program that includes…
a.
Training yourself before
using it in the car.
b.
Training yourself as you sit in the car but before
driving.
c.
Training yourself gradually
while driving.
4.
After you learn the mechanics of calling you need to
train yourself how to drive and talk on the phone
a.
How to stay alert
b.
How to give the appearance of being alert.
V.
Mobile Computing
A.
Enable drivers to retrieve email, check for stock
quotes, sports scores, lottery numbers, use global positioning navigation
systems, receive traffic alerts and provide back seat games and movies
B.
This new market is called “automotive telematics” and will quickly reach $10 billion just in the
C.
IBM
VI. Intelligent
Transportation Systems
A.
Electronic technology that integrates traffic
control and traffic management to make traffic smoother and safer.
B.
Technology to improve the roads and reduce vehicle
wear, transportation time and fuel cost.
C.
Main functions
1.
Manage traffic electronically
2.
Make the roads safer
3.
Provide travel information
4.
Control environmental carriers
5.
Manage parking
6.
Quicken toll operations
D.
Can be dangerous and distracting.
1.
Official advice is to pull off the road before
using.
a.
Not realistic
2.
Need to improve training.
a.
QDC’s
b.
Familiarize self with equipment
VI.
Stress
A.
is due to aggressive and incompetent driving and
intensified by increasing pressure to multitask in vehicles.
B.
Results can include:
1. Increased production of gastric acid
2. Increased production of gastrointestinal disorder
3. Increased production of fight or flight hormone
4. Reduced blood supply to the brain.
5. Lowered immune system response for several hours
6. Increased blood pressure
7. Higher Heart rate.
Related Links
1. http://www.itsa.org/ This website helps further understand what Intelligent Transportation Systems include and how they help.
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_transportation_system This website also clarifies Intelligent Transportation Systems.
3. http://www.drivers.com/article/313 This is an article discussing the issue of cell phone use in the car.
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_phones_and_driving This website lists the history of cell phone use while driving and lists the many laws and restrictions in different states and countries.
My Homepage:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2006/mills/mills-home.htm
Class web page:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/classhome-g25.htm