PSY 409a, November 16, 2006

Road Rage and Aggression

By Rhiannon Tokita

Instructions for this activity are found at: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/g25-oral1.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

Galovski, T. E., Malta, L. S., & Blanchard, E. B. (in press). Road Rage: Assessment and Treatment of the Angry, Aggressive Driver. Washington, DC: APA Books.

Lajunen, T. & Parker, D. (2001). Are aggressive people aggressive drivers? A study of the relationship between self-reported general aggressiveness, driver anger and aggressive driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 33, pp. 243-255.

Novaco, R.W. (1991). Aggression on roadways. In R. Baenninger (Ed.), Targets of violence and aggression. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publications.

Concept 1:

I. Media and Aggression

a. The effects of media portrayals of violence are not irrelevant to driving behavior

i. May breakdown some of the values that a motorist might have

ii. People who watch car chases in the movies or on TV may seen nothing wrong because the characters are doing it

1. For example: The movie “The Bourne Identity,” the so called protagonist of the movie is evading police in a high speed car chase and is never caught and does not suffer any consequences. Drivers may see it as an excuse to having the right to drive recklessly as long as they do not get caught or do not suffer any injury.

iii. It can go against what they have been taught as children as well as what is acceptable and what is not

iv. Exposure to the media, which portrays violence has lessened the inhibitions that motorists may have about aggressive driving.

v. Is not suggesting that motorists display aggressive behaviors just because of watching car chases in movies, but it does breakdown community values.

1. The amount of effect that the media has on a driver, could be related to how well their values and behaviors are instilled in them

Concept 2:

II. Increased Accident Liability Among Young Drivers

a. Young drivers have a more risky driving style than older adults

i. Young drivers exhibit dangerous driving practices

1. driving too fast

2. following too close to other motorists in front

3. more likely to disobey traffic signals and signs

b. Younger drivers are more easily annoyed by other drivers than older drivers are

i. Younger drivers react violently more than older drivers

1. More likely to get into verbal or physical altercation

ii. Reason behind older drivers being less easily annoyed

1. Older drivers tend to have more experience with driving and are more tolerant to other drivers mistakes

c. Age and Maturity

i. In most cases, with age comes maturity

1. Younger drivers are usually less mature and have skewed judgments

2. Have a less realistic sense of the possible consequences and outcomes

3. Have not had the time to get the life experiences that older drivers may have had

d. Peer Pressure

i. Younger drivers have difficulty resisting peer influence to take risks

1. Want to look cool in front of peers

2. Don’t want to seem afraid of doing risky stunts while driving

ii. Young drivers know what is wrong from right, but choose to take risks in order to look cool

Conclusion:

I believe that the media and the age of a driver are factors when it comes to aggressive driving and road rage. Drivers can be easily influenced by their environment as well as the people who surround them. It is important to continue to find ways to curb these influences in order to make the roads a safer place to exists on.