My 4th Outline (not oral)
The Beginning
This is a presentation of Road Rage and Aggressive Driving pages 15-32
Written by Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl
Published by Prometheus Books
www.drdriving.com
By: Leanna Bergeron

Instructions for this oral presentation are found at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy22/g22-oral.htm 

I. Stories about the Authors

A. Diane’s story
            1. She was concerned about her husband’s driving. Her grandmother was also concerned. Her husband didn’t seem to realize that his driving impacted other people. Diane was appalled that her “nice-guy” husband was such an aggressive driver.

 

B. Leon’s story
            1. It was difficult for Leon to accept that his driving style was not beneficial to his wife and his wife’s grandmother. He was unwilling to accept criticism and denied he was doing anything wrong behind the wheel.

 

C. My Opinion: it was interesting to read about how the book began

 

 

II. The Realities of Road Rage
A. Is it real?
            1. The term “road rage” was introduced by the media

            2. Some incidences of road rage include

                        -     a man was stabbed repeatedly by another motorist when a traffic

                        disagreement escalated

-         A man was shot to death by another motorist

-         A seventeen year old boy was tailgating a motorist. They both pulled over, a dispute ensued, and the boy was shot

 

B. Why do people feel the need for rage?

            1. While in the vehicle they feel the need for control and feel “justified” in

             dominating others.

            2. Our attitudes on the road have changed and become more negative.

 

C. A worldwide phenomenon

            1. Incidences of road rage are occurring all over the world

            Ex: Philippines, Greece, Thailand

            2. It seems that aggressive driving is “rooted in cultural ideology”

 

D. My Opinion: I think we have all experienced road rage at some point in out lives. Almost every day that I drive it is hard to not become “peeved” at other drivers.

 

III. The Culture of Disrespect

A. The world –through technology (ex. The internet, telephones) is becoming less and less personal. That being said people find it easier and easier to disrespect others and feel minimal repercussions.

 

B. Deborah Tannen makes the claim that people today value aggression and control more than cooperation. She uses book and movie titles such as Star Wars, The Culture of Rage, and the Culture of Violence to support her claim. Tannen sees aggressive driving as part of the struggle for status.

 

C. My Opinion: I definitely agree that we live in a culture of disrespect. Just walking around the streets of almost any major city will show that people are more concerned than ever about themselves and their own needs.

 

Links:

http://roadragers.com/

http://www.drivers.com/article/169

http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/aggr-ndx.htm

 

My home page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2004/bergeron/home.htm