Report 2:

Report 2:
My Understanding of Driving Psychology
by Ruo Xie
Instructions for this report are at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy24/409a-g24-report2.htm
I am answering Questions 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The question I am answering is Question 1:

(a) Give a brief review of our two textbooks: Road Rage and Aggressive Driving (James and Nahl), and Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer (Peter Rothe, Editor). The reviews should be between 3 and 6 paragraphs for each text.

(b) Select Chapter 8 on Supportive Driving (by James and Nahl) in the Road Rage book and Chapter 14 on Driving Skills (by Lawrance Lonero) in the Driving Lessons book. Summarize their content. Be sure to refer to the author's name(s).

(c) Discuss in what way these ideas can help solve society's driving problems. Be specific: what are the main problems and how can particular ideas in these chapters help solve those problems.

(d) Describe any resistance you experience regarding this orientation, including

(i) the idea that how you drive is a moral issue of human rights
(ii) the idea of lifelong driver education and the idea of mandatory participation in QDC support groups

(e) Describe the reactions of friends when you tell them about driving personality makeovers

Answers:

“Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare”

By Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl

“Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare”, written by Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl, gives insights and valuable information about the growing concern of the phenomenon, Road Rage, happening right on the road ways we drive on everyday. Not only does this book, published by Prometheus Books, address the concern of road rage and aggressive driving, it also makes available the information gathered by experts and professionals around the world on how to stop this terror. Along with passages containing research and studies, Dr. James and Dr. Nahl gives suggestions on how someone would go about changing their behavior behind the wheel.

With twelve chapters jam packed with educational and stunning material, it starts by explaining what road rage and aggressive driving is and the causes. The basic principles behind this phenomenon consume your everyday driver and turn their car from a simple mode of transportation to a deadly weapon capable of causing havoc. Although the causes are many, “RR” discusses how the media, parents, peers, and society have an effect on what type of attitude new drivers have when they first receive their license.

But just knowing what causes road rage and aggressive driving is useless without knowing some techniques and strategies to stop them. There are many exercises and activities mentioned in this book but there is one that stands out the most, “Three-Step Driver Self-Improvement Program”. This program also called, “AWM”, advocates that in order to change a negative driving behavior, the driver needs to Acknowledge the problem, Witness the problem first hand, and Modify the behavior.

Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer

By J. Peter Rothe

In this book Rothe goes over many systems devised by experts and researchers to make our roadways safer for us to travel. With traffic injuries and fatalities rising every year, it’s hard to imagine what it would be like if no one cared. Along with these descriptions, Rothe also mentions the variables that cause accidents on our roads. The variables can range from physical and mental shortcomings to just plain bad decision-making by drivers.

Chapters 1-8 discuss the advances in technology and research to help two things: 1) improve the ways an individual is assessed when experts are trying to determine whether that individual is fit to drive and 2) the improvement and advances in technology to ensure driver safety and medical help. Along with these concepts, Rothe brings into perspective the impact family and society has on ones driving and how different areas in the world have different styles of driving.

Chapter 9-15 gives a rare in-depth look on different driving situations. It introduces stories and concepts that attempt to give the reader an insight. By talking about situations of government attempts to stop road rage and studies of performance and behavior, the reader gets a glimpse at what the rest of the world is like when it comes to road rage and aggressive driving. In the remainder of the chapters, Rothe discusses some of the systems that were injected into our roadways to try and keep road rage and aggressive driving from taking over.

There is one chapter in this book that I can really relate to, although all chapters talk about everyday situations. Chapter 19 addresses the issue of using cell phones while driving. Rothe titles the chapter “Is using a Cell phone like Driving Drunk?” As far as I’m concerned, it’s a fitting title. I see too many near misses on the road due to people talking on their cell phone. Even when they have the “hands free” on, they tend to have one hand occupied holding the hands free receiver up to their mouth. It negates the point of having it in the first place.

Chapter 8: Supportive Driving

By Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl

As more and more time passes since an individual first got their license, there are certain habits that they pick up, good or bad, and there are certain behaviors they stop doing. Not only that, drivers tend to build intolerance towards other drivers that they view as being different drivers from themselves. In these situations, motorists start becoming irritated and sometimes even angry because they feel that everyone should be as good as a driver as themselves. In this chapter, Dr. James and Dr. Nahl tell us what causes these problems and gives us some solutions.

Let’s begin with the topic of variance of drivers. I think everyone can agree that no one person is like the next. So why is that people get mad when they feel other people don’t drive like themselves? This is a very interesting topic. Dr James and Dr. Nahl explain that a big part of aggressive driving and road rage is that people don’t understand or realize that different drivers have a different way of driving. In order to decrease road rage or aggressive driving, motorists have to start being more tolerant of the different styles of driving.

The two authors continue their quest for safer roads by addressing the issue of being understanding. One example, if someone is driving slowly; most people think that the driver behind the wheel must be very bad at driving. Dr. James and Dr. Nahl explain that there are many circumstances besides being a bad driver that may be causing the slow speed. The driver of the car may be ill or have a headache. In these situations, it may be safer for them drive slow. They may be going to the doctor. Being understanding of the variance of driving styles are very important when driving.

Next, the two authors give some examples that they think drivers need to exercise and practice in order to make the road a rage-safe and aggressive-safe. The sections, titled “Motorist-to-Motorist Communication”, “Training for Supportive Driving”, “Come out Swinging Positive”, may very be the answer to the end of road rage. But unless closely followed, these concepts may be useless. Let me explain an example. In the section “Motorist-to-Motorist Communication”, Dr. James and Dr. Nahl explain that communication between motorists is critical. Thank You’s and waves go a long way. It makes others feel acknowledged.

Towards the end of the Chapter, the remaining sections give details on exercises and checklist that individuals can do to practice in becoming a better, more fit driver. These exercises ask questions like “Do You Support Passenger Rights in Your Car?” and “How Passenger-Friendly Are You?”

Chapter 14: Driving Skills

By J. Peter Rothe

This chapter in J Peter Rothe’s book “Driving Lesson: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer”, Rothe discusses driver skill. Although it may seem like a simple topic to talk about, we should ask the question of “how safe are we really behind the wheel?” Most people will say very safe but after reading this chapter, I even questioned my own abilities.

Rothe starts off by defining the term “skill”, “…a learned ability to perform some task effectively and efficiently”. One concept brought up this chapter is that although driving is a complex skill requiring people behind the wheel to display hundreds of behaviors in order to get from one place to another safely, people don’t take driving that seriously. Individuals tend to take the endeavor of learning how drive into their own hands, frequently acquiring bad habits and dangerous behaviors. But these behaviors and habits go unchanged and unnoticed because it becomes as “natural as walking.”

But these automatic behaviors aren’t the only problems that make a normally safe individual a bad driver. Knowing human capabilities, as explained by Rothe, are crucial when taking a 3,000 pound piece of metal and hurling it down a street. People need to understand that no matter how highly capable they are, there are certain limitations that may hinder their ability, both mentally and physically, to manage their automobile safely and cautiously. To know these limitations, a driver can refer a table Rothe drew up to illustrate the driving skill of an individual (pg. 218, table 14.1)

The chapter ends with Rothe answering the question “How Important is Driving Skill?” In a nutshell, he explains that the outcome, in terms of safety and efficiency, all boils down to capabilities. Because there are limits to these capabilities, individuals cannot try and push these boundaries, which most people do. Drivers behind the wheel have to choose carefully what types of behaviors are alright to display and what type of behaviors should not be displayed. These very decisions can mean the difference between getting somewhere in one place or ending up in the hospital.

(c) Discuss in what way these ideas can help solve society's driving problems. Be specific: what are the main problems and how can particular ideas in these chapters help solve those problems.

Western society has many faults but that’s not say not to say that we don’t have our strong points. We have a great traffic system that helps monitor and control dangerous actions like speeding, making dangerous turns, and injuring other people, just to name a few. But even with these systems in place, we still see 6 million injuries and 42,000 deaths annually that attributed solely to traffic accidents. I can’t help but ask myself, why?

People in the western society are too individualistic. With the exception of immediate family and a couple of close friends, no one cares enough about other people to stop and think whether their actions affect someone else. Take speeding for example. Even with passengers in the car, a teenager will exceed the speed limit and endanger their passengers and others on the road. This is a perfect example of disregard for others. But it’s not to say that it doesn’t happen anywhere else because it does. Just more often in the U.S.

Next, I wan to get into the phenomenon of “diffusion of responsibility”. To illustrate this point, let me give an example. If you were alone and witnessed someone being beat up, how likely would you call for help? Now, what if there were 5 other people witnessing the same crime? Well, there have been studies that show that the more people there are witnessing a crime; the less likely it is that someone will call for help. This is due to everyone thinking the next person will call for help. The responsibility is diffused among the people present.

Now that you understand the term “diffusion of responsibility”, let’s apply it to Traffic safety. I don’t mean apply it to how the government regulates and controls traffic safety but how us as citizens and individuals regulate and control safety. You may be thinking “I can’t regulate other people’s actions”. I’m not talking about other people, I mean us. If we all regulate our own behaviors and emotions when behind the wheel, maybe the roads would be safer. We all as individuals have to be responsible for our won actions and decision and not push the responsibility off to another party.

Describe any resistance you experience regarding this orientation, including

(i) the idea that how you drive is a moral issue of human rights
(ii) the idea of lifelong driver education and the idea of mandatory participation in QDC support groups

(e) Describe the reactions of friends when you tell them about driving personality makeovers

I think resistance is a major factor holding people back from becoming safe driver. People don’t resist change intentionally, rather, they are so stuck on the same pattern that change seems impossible. Anyone who played sports knows this concept. When a bad habit is acquired while training in a sport, that habit sticks and changing it is a hefty task. The same goes for driving.

(i) The idea that how you drive is a moral issue of human rights

Driving is definitely a moral issue. When displaying unsafe behaviors or actions, like speeding or disobeying road laws, individuals not only put themselves at risk but also their passengers and other motorists that are on the road with them. To better illustrate my point, let me say this. What right does a person have to make a choice to break the law and exceed the speed limit, for example, and risk losing control, smashing into my car and causing me bodily harm or death? Killing someone with a gun at point blank and killing someone with your car makes no difference, a life is still lost. The difference is whether the right measures were taken to prevent those injuries or fatalities.

(ii) The idea of lifelong driver education and the idea of mandatory participation in QDC support groups

Lifelong driver education is very, very important. Bad habits are picked up when people stop practicing safe driving habits and stop learning. There are so many things that a new driver hasn’t learned yet when they first get their license yet people think the driver education stops there. Driver education continues throughout a person’s life and the type a driver you become, good or bad or dangerous or safe, all depends on what you choose to learn. Are you going to choose to learn the safe behaviors or forget about everything and pick up bad ones? It’s a choice.

QDC provides a place where people can gather to learn about new, safe driving techniques. Whether it’s to learn how to driver better or how to use the cars new features while driving, QDCs are a good way to familiarize yourself with safe driving techniques. I believe it is groups like this that help make the road a safer place.

(e) Describe the reactions of friends when you tell them about driving personality makeovers

The most common reaction I get when I talk about driving personality is blank stares. It is amazing how little people think driving is tied into our emotions. Some of my friends haven’t even heard about emotional intelligence. That’s why after I explained what driving psychology is and explained to them what a driving personality makeover is, they are all interested in hearing what I have to say. Some of them even changed the way they drive.

I am answering Question 3:

(a) Select three student reports at www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/499s2003/newsgroups. Be sure you put a link to the report you are quoting from. Summarize what the three students were trying to do, what methods they used, and what they concluded.

(b) 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?

(c) Now go to some driving newsgroups by Googling the phrase driving newsgroups. See if you can corroborate the conclusions of the student reports which were done several years ago. Is this still going on the same way?

Answers:

The following summarized reports can be found in its entirety by clicking here

Janice Kamm’s articles address some of the everyday problems we all may experience at one point or another. She starts off by expressing how she feels about rubbernecking. She said police should put up a screen, which I think is wrong way to approach the problem. I don’t think rubbernecking will ever stop due to human nature. Human nature is to be curious and that’s how it’s going to be.

The next article Kamm wrote about was about a person who was driving without their headlights on in rain and another motorist noticed and was angered by it. This article is a perfect example of intolerance. You never know what is going on in someone else’s life to cause them to take certain actions. If one can tolerate variance in driving styles then one can be a good driver.

Kamm’s third article dealt mainly with a motorist not having their light on. Another motorist writes about how unintelligent that is. Although it is very dangerous to drive without your headlights on in certain situations, Kamm said that we should not stereotype them. I agree but Kamm does not realize that it is dangerous and it could possibly cause bodily injury or death. Headlights serve two purposes: (1) to illuminate dark roads so drivers can see where they are going and what’s in their path and (2) so other motorists know that you are on the road.

The following summarized article can be found in its entirety by clicking here

In this article, which contained no author name, the writer discusses newsgroups that focus on long distance relationships. He entered the newsgroup and asked what everyone thought about the word LOVE. There were many replies and many expressions of what love meant. The article goes on to explain that people participate in newsgroup because they can meet people who are going through similar experiences in life as they are, in this case, long distance relationships.

The following summarized article can be found in its entirety by clicking here

Ema which is the only name given writes her article about the different road rage stories and problems that are happening around the world. The author seems to agree with the anger or may be an aggressive driver herself. She discusses things like salesman who travel and can’t stand other people on the road, people in the UK not dipping their lights for oncoming traffic, and many more. I thought most of the stories were very funny and very dangerous at the same time.

My thoughts on these articles vary. The second article seemed very touching. He used his own experiences to find a newsgroup to fit his life. I think it made the article very personal and therefore, very interesting. The author of the second article must’ve learned a lot about himself while doing his report.

The other two authors seemed to just have been doing their reports just to do them. I can’t say how much they got out of it. Their comments were short and broad. But the good thing was that all of their chosen topics were moderately interesting. Another positive outcome from reading their articles is that it further solidified the idea that driving psychology should be taught in more areas around the globe. It’s sad that all of this road rage and aggressive driving is going on and not much is done to teach emotional intelligence and the driver’s “Three Fold Self”. I think Dr. James class would be very useful if it were put into all universities and mandated in all driver education.

A lot has changed since these students have posted their articles and discussions. But these changes are moving in the right direction, the positive direction. Newsgroups out there aren’t only open for mainly discussion anymore. Although I hate advertisement links, some of these newsgroups had links and advertisement for subjects like “better driving” and topics like “drunk driving”. I feel that it’s important not only to talk about change but also to offer opportunities for change. It’s nice to see people still care and that the phenomenon of “diffusion of responsibility” hasn’t got a hold on everyone.

I am answering Question 4:

(a) Consider Table 5 in the Lecture Notes, in the Section on Driving Psychology Theory and Charts at www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy24/409a-g24-lecture-notes.htm#Charts Read the article from which the Table was taken. Copy and paste the table into your file. Describe the Table in your own words: what is it for, what it says, and what it shows.

(b) Copy the Table again and paste it again. But this time delete the examples in each cell and replace them with your own examples that you make up. Title this Section: My Version of the Table. Explain what your table shows and how you came up with it. Discuss your Table with friends. Summarize their reactions. Summarize your reactions to their reactions.

(c) Discuss why driving is such a big problem in all societies and why no effective solutions have yet been found for them. Refer to our two textbooks for examples of some of the world wide problems and solutions proposed. Be sure to refer to the author and page numbers. What likelihood is there that his approach will be adopted? Explain.

Answers:

Table 5
Emotionally Intelligent Driver Personality Skills

Driver Competence Skills	Aggressive NEGATIVE DRIVING	Supportive POSITIVE DRIVING
Driver Competence Skills	Not Emotionally Intelligent (REPTILIAN DRIVING)	Emotionally Intelligent (CORTICAL DRIVING)
1. Focusing on self vs. blaming others or the situation	"This traffic is impossibly slow. What’s wrong with these jerks? They’re driving like idiots."	"I’m feeling very impatient today. Everything seems to tick me off."
2. Understanding how feelings and thoughts act together	"I’m angry, scared, outraged. How can they do this to me?"	"I feel angry, scared, outraged when I think about what could have happened."
3. Realizing that anger is something we choose vs. thinking it is provoked	"They make me so mad when they do that."	"I make myself so mad when they do that."
4. Being concerned about consequences vs. giving in to impulse	"I just want to give this driver a piece of my mind. I just want him to know how I feel."	"If I respond to this provocation I lose control over the situation. It’s not worth it."
5. Showing respect for others and their rights vs. thinking only of oneself	"They better stay out of my way. I’m in no mood for putting up with them. Out of my way folks."	"I wish there was no traffic but it’s not up to me. These people have to get to their destination too."
6. Accepting traffic as collective team work vs. seeing it as individual competition	"Driving is about getting ahead. I get a jolt out of beating a red light or finding the fastest lane. It’s me vs. everybody else."	"I try to keep pace with the traffic realizing that my movements can slow others down—like switching lanes to try to get ahead."
7. Recognizing the diversity of drivers and their needs and styles vs. blaming them for what they choose to do	"How can they be so stupid? They’re talking on the phone instead of paying attention to the road."	"I need to be extra careful around drivers using a hand held cellular phone since they may be distracted."
8. Practicing positive role models vs. negative	"Come on, buddy, speed up or I’ll be on your tail. Go, go. What’s wrong with you? There’s no one ahead."	"This driver is going slower than my desires. Now I can practice the art of patience and respect for the next few minutes."
9. Learning to inhibit the impulse to criticize by developing a sense of driving humor	"I can’t stand all these idiots on the road. They slow down when they should speed up. They gawk; they crawl, anything but drive."	"I’m angry, I’m mad Therefore I’ll act calm, I’ll smile and not compete. Already I feel better. Be my guest, enter ahead."
10. Taking driving seriously by becoming aware of one’s mistakes and correcting them	"I’m an excellent driver, assertive and competent, with a clean accident record—just a few tickets here and there."	"I monitor myself as a driver and keep a driving log of my mistakes. I think it’s important to include thoughts and feelings, not just the overt acts."

Table 5 discusses the many thoughts and languages of driver while stuck in traffic, encountering people who drive differently, and some that are just plain mad. The first column describes driver competence skills. This column explains what thoughts and feelings should be in your head while driving to make you a safe driver versus some thoughts that you shouldn’t have while driver that make you a bad driver.

As we move to the middle column, it lists the negative thoughts and feelings a driver can have that can be considered aggressive driving. These feelings, in extreme cases, can cause a driver to take actions that may cause injury or death to another motorist or themselves. Although the thoughts in this column are usually angry thoughts it also includes thoughts that people have when they are overconfident of their driving abilities. Overconfidence can sometimes lead to accidents on the road because a driver doesn’t know where their limits are.

The third column is the most important area. It gives examples of what a driver should be thinking or feeling so that they can maximize their chances of avoiding a dangerous situation. These thoughts help calm an enraged motorist out and prevent them from doing anything irrational that might endanger them or other people on the road.

Table 5
Emotionally Intelligent Driver Personality Skills
“My version of the table”

Driver Competence Skills	Aggressive NEGATIVE DRIVING	Supportive POSITIVE DRIVING
Driver Competence Skills	Not Emotionally Intelligent (REPTILIAN DRIVING)	Emotionally Intelligent (CORTICAL DRIVING)
1. Focusing on self vs. blaming others or the situation	“Why are these people keep changing lanes? I need to get somewhere and these idiots are holding up traffic.”	"It was a bad day at work. That might be causing these feelings of anger."
2. Understanding how feelings and thoughts act together	"That scared the sh** out of me. What is wrong with this guy?"	"I could have got hurt and that really frightens me."
3. Realizing that anger is something we choose vs. thinking it is provoked	"It boils my blood when they keep doing the same things over and over again."	"I’m only angry at that situation because I let myself be angry at it."
4. Being concerned about consequences vs. giving in to impulse	"Just wait until I pull up next to this idiot. I am going to show him who’s boss."	"Responding to that would only put me in possible danger."
5. Showing respect for others and their rights vs. thinking only of oneself	"These people better start driving better or else I am going to have to give them a piece of my mind."	"There are many types of drivers out there but they all have the same goal as me, getting to a certain destination."
6. Accepting traffic as collective team work vs. seeing it as individual competition	"I need to get from point A to point B and this idiot keeps stopping at yellow lights. Keep going, why don’t you?"	"I should let this person pass. Not letting him go will only make him push his way through and it will only slow traffic down even more."
7. Recognizing the diversity of drivers and their needs and styles vs. blaming them for what they choose to do	"Why are these tourists driving so slowly? They don’t have roads from where they are? They need to drive like me!”	"They look like tourist. Maybe that’s how they drive from they are from. It’s OK!”
8. Practicing positive role models vs. negative	"You better keep in you lane like everyone else. If I don’t switch lane, you don’t switch lane.”	"This guy might slow down and change lanes. I’ll let it go because I have no where I have be soon.”
9. Learning to inhibit the impulse to criticize by developing a sense of driving humor	"Drivers in these areas need to learn how to manage their cars better. They don’t signal or wave.”	"You didn’t want to let me in, but I’ll wave anyways.”
10. Taking driving seriously by becoming aware of one’s mistakes and correcting them	"I don’t need to be careful, others need to. I’m an excellent driver. All my tickets were undeserved and the cops hatred towards me!”	"I have a clean driving record but I still have room for improvement. I should keep track of all the mistakes I commit and try not to do them anymore.”

Everyone has had a bad day. I know I had many. This table reflects on the feelings I had versus the feelings I have after taking Dr. Leon James’ course. The first column gives examples of what I use to think when in traffic or when I’m just having a bad day. After knowing about traffic fatality and injury statistics and taking the course in driving psychology, I slowly moved into the thoughts of the last column. I found that these thoughts help me stay calm and prevent me from going on a full blown anger fit.

After showing my brother this table he commented that a lot of his friends that drive him around have these thoughts. Some of them even get into accidents more times than not. He remarked that this table could help people change their anger issues while on the road. Although he thinks that just this table alone won’t cause too much change, added to a good modification, dangerous drivers can be molded into safer ones.

I stand by the belief that the people in our society are way to individualistic. This aspect of society will be too hard change due to the fact that it’s been this way for way too long. Everyone cares only for themselves and when they make a mistake behind the wheel responsibility is never taken. Being that individualism will not change I propose that the individual needs to change. This brings me to the “Three-Step Self-Improvement Plan” thought up by Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl in the book “Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare”.

The AWM (Aknowledge, Witness, and Modify) approach seems the most sensible choice to take when an individual decides to change their driving behavior. The driver first has to first acknowledge that there is a problem to begin with. With that very problem in mind, the individual then has to be aware and witness themselves committing that act. Finally, the driver has to make a plan of change to modify that behavior. The first two parts to the AWM approach are the easy parts. It’s the third part that may cause a problem in itself. I have put myself through this program and found that if the problem being change is a habit, it’ll be hard to undo it because you may unconsciously act it out when not paying attention.

As with any change, the individual has to want to change in order to make any modification program a successful one. It’s the same as going through therapy. The patient has to want to change in order for the treatment plan to work. If forced into treatment, the patient is more likely revert back to old habits not long after finishing the program.

I am answering Question 5:

(a) Our textbook Road Rage and Aggressive Driving has checklist exercises in several chapters. 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. 88-90

(b) Discuss your reactions to each exercise? How do you explain your answers? You can give your answers in their entirety or you can make selections. What do they show about your driving personality? Where did you get this style of reacting and driving? Discuss how these exercises help you to become more aware of yourself as a driver.

(c) Do some of the exercises with another driver you know. How do they help you understand some principles of driving psychology mentioned in the book? Discuss and illustrate with specific examples.

Answers:

(i) Exercise on Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings on p. 65-66

This exercise had little for me to relate to. Maybe it’s because I know for a fact that every retaliation and vengeful act could lead to injury, death, or jail time. But don’t get me wrong, I do get thoughts similar to these but on a much smaller and less extreme scale. Before taking this course, I couldn’t imagine anyone having these thoughts or outrages. After reading numerous articles on road rage I am fully aware that certain people, if pushed, will commit these atrocities. The even sadder news is that most of those people won’t even think twice about doing and it and won’t even appreciate the wrongfulness of the crime.

(ii) Exercise on Are You an Aggressive Competitor on p. 104-5

Once again, I don’t feel like I can relate to these questions. I never made driving a competition. There are some people I know that are competitive and there’ a funny result to that behavior. They always end up being behind the car or cars they are competitive with. I, for one, like to leave my home a little bit earlier than I need to in case traffic may be bad. I learned that one can never tell when an accident may have happened causing traffic to be backed up. It is also my belief that there is never friendly competition on the road. Friendly competition never involves the chance that someone may be hurt or lose their life.

(iii) Exercise on Positive Driving Behaviors on p. 212-3

I wasn’t sure if this class has biased my answers in this particular exercise because I found that I possessed a lot of those qualities described. I like situations where my driving experience has no stress. But I also come to grips with the fact that you can’t rely on the other people on the road to give you that experience. Therefore, I must make my own driving experience enjoyable. I especially like the question asking if I put on my turn signal during lane changes. I use to neglect doing so and might have made some people mad. I changed that and realized that people are more reluctant to let into their lanes. I also add in a little wave as a sign of thank you. Most people even wave back. That, in itself, makes my driving experience a lot more pleasurable.

(iv) Exercise on Your Passive Aggressive Road Rage Tendency on p. 88-90

I don’t feel that any of the questions in this checklist applied to me. I try to be as considerate as possible when I am on and off the road. Once again, it may be due to Dr. Leon James course in driving psychology. I especially like the question about making people wait for my parking space, though. Although I do not participate in that practice, I often get the feeling that people do it to me. But, I always tell myself that they might be doing something important like finding their glasses or making sure their mirrors are at the right position. I think that most people think that they are good behind the wheel, not taking up too much time getting in and out of parking spaces or entering on ramps but everyone has those times when their reactions or reflexes aren’t up to par. But they don’t notice it.

I did exercise four with my father who owns a wholesale produce company and so he’s on the road all the time making deliveries and going to meetings. I had him look at the checklist and then check off the ones he feels best describes him. After he finished the exercise, I showed him my results and he said “like father, like son.” I thought that was funny because, just like me, he couldn’t relate to the checklist and didn’t end up checking any selections. But he did explain to me that if he were back in China, where we’re from, he would have to drive aggressively or else he wouldn’t get anywhere. I guess it all comes down to context.

I am answering Question 6:

(a) Search the Web and the University of Hawaii Library Electronic Resources of full text journals to find out what is known about how cell phone use affects people's driving. Summarize some of this literature. Be sure you have articles from both the Web and the Library Electronic Journals Databases. Give the full reference and link for each article.

(b) Use the theory in the Lecture Notes to explain what drivers need to learn about themselves in order to be able to handle the proper use of cell phones while driving. Is it better to train drivers to use cell phones properly or is it better to outlaw the use of any cell phones while driving? Discuss the solutions.

Answers:

Following summarized article can be found in its entirety by clicking here

In an article published by the Insurance Information Institute in April 2006, it was reported by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association that in the United States over 212 million people used cell phones as of April 2006, compared with approximately 4.3 million in 1990. With technology becoming more affordable and available an old saying comes to mind, “with great power comes great responsibility”. Cell phones alone aren’t my main concern, it is cell phones being used while driving that strikes fear into me.

As mentioned before, driving requires many behaviors working together in unison. Add another task to list, like talking on the phone, and it becomes that much more difficult to concentrate on the road. A study released in April 2006 found that almost 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds of the event. In the same article it was reported that motorists who use cell phones while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves, according to a study of drivers in Perth, Australia, conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

But it’s not to say that nothing is being done to break this bad habit of driving while on the phone. Hands free sets are very good inventions if used right. If both hands are free to control the wheel then it should be alright to use the phone. In this article, it is mentioned that businesses are prohibiting employees from using their cell phones while driving on the job. I think this is a good idea. With an already hectic work load, I think it is smart to lessen the distractions workers have while driving.

The following summarized article can be found in its entirety by clicking here

A study done by two researchers, Dong-Chul Seo and Mohammed R. Torabi, found that driving while on the phone increases the likelihood of an accident or near accident. In their study sample they found that 87% of the participants owned cell phones and 86% of them used it while driving. According to self-report, the researchers found that numerous participants reported accidents or near accidents while driving and talking on the phone.

In this articles, both researchers suggested intervention efforts be made to target groups to reduce cell phone related accidents. Although this research was focused on college students, it’s evident that people of all ages with driver licenses use the phone while driving. With that in mind, I think intervention, like the researchers suggested is crucial. With the continuing advancement and affordability of cell phones, proper use should come along with the package.

It’s a widely accepted fact that no individual is like the next. Even identical twins have different personalities and different preferences. With that in mind, I think that people really need know their capabilities and limitations. For me, I know that I have a short attention span unless I try really hard to pay attention. With that knowledge in mind, I won’t try to multi-task while behind the wheel. It should be the same for everyone.

I’m not advocating that cell phones be banned from use while driving. Instead, maybe users should be educated in the safe ways to use a cell phone while behind the wheel. As a psychology major, I have learned that banning or prohibiting something does nothing to stop people from doing it. Instead, I feel that educating people about the product and conveying the dangers of its misuse will decrease the dangerousness of the situation. I use a cell phone while driving but I always use a hands free set and keep both hands and my eyes on the road at all time. I make sure I am aware of what is going on around me and never get too into my conversations. These may seem like minor things, but it may have saved my life without me knowing.

"My Report on the Previous Generation"

Generation 22

The following summarized report can be found in its entirety by clicking here

Lacy’s report deals with various stimuli that affect the way people think, both young and old. The author first starts off with media exposure and how it influences the way children think. It is first mentioned that television advertisement breed unhealthy habits in children. Lacy then moves on with an article that claims violent media cultures violent tendencies in young children. The following few articles also deal with young children and the many problems and possible solutions. The most interesting article featured in Lacy’s report was about comprehensive sex education. This article claims that abstinence taught in schools does little to prevent the spread of STDs when compared to real sex education which teaches the safe ways to have sex and about the STDs themselves.

In the next parts of Lacy’s report, the author discusses various ways to improve both mental and physical health. I thought the part on writing about traumatic experiences can help reduce stress and anxiety was very informing. As a psychology major, I read and write a lot about people who can’t live a normal life due to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or anxiety disorders. It makes sense because while trying not to think about things that make you anxious or nervous may be one solution, these problems can only be remedied by gradual desensitization of the stimulus that causes the stress.

In Lacy’s last part of his/her report, emotional intelligence was the topic at hand. Many articles are mentioned that deal with making life more pleasant by becoming more aware and in control of ones emotions. This area was particularly interesting to me because life involves driving. Driving can be dangerous. This danger can me minimized if everyone was emotionally intelligent because it would allow us to control our anger and outrages while in traffic, making the road a much happier place, not to mention safer.

The following summarized report can be found in its entirety by clicking here

In this report by Karis Amano, Amano focuses on the topic of information literacy skills. After reading her report, I concluded that information literacy skill basically means how well an individual can follow a set of directions. She made the set of directions from Dr. Leon James her report. In the beginning she had a little trouble with the directions but soon figured it out after a couple of emails from Dr. James.

She also included a short abstract on Swedenborg from a British journal. This abstract was a lot of fun to read because it introduced Emanuel Swedenborg to me, which I have never heard about. Amano then goes on and reiterates the steps on how to do report one. She does this a couple of times and each time adds an area where she describes what she did wrong and how she fixed it.

I thought this was interesting because it can be related directly to anyone. People make mistakes and keep making them because they don’t learn from previous mistakes. Another problem is that people use one solution to a problem on another problem and it doesn’t work for the second problem. This is what psychologists call negative transfer. By thinking about her previous errors Amano was bale to not make the same mistakes over again. This task helped develop and refine her information literacy skills.

Generation 23

The following summarized report can be found in its entirety by clicking here

In this report by Jessica Trujillo, the topic of information literacy is discussed. Jessica’s reports consisted mainly of descriptions of how she went about completing the task at hand. She listed all the steps she took in order while following the directions given by Dr. James and also included all the mistakes she encountered and corrected. This activity was really interesting because it let Jessica see, first hand, what type of mistakes she was making. After making the mistake, she was aware of how to correct them.

This activity reminded me a lot of the AWM approach to the “Driver Personality Self-Modification Program”. Jessica acknowledged the fact that a mistake was made. She then witnessed it being made and then modified what was necessary to correct the mistake.

The following summarized report can be found in its entirety by clicking here

Ashley Hooks’ report was very similar to the report that is being done here. She starts off by going over and summarizing the two textbooks of this course, Driving Psychology. There was also a section for previous generations like what I’m writing about now. The report then continues with the “Emotionally Intelligent Driver Personality Skills Table”, which she also replaces the texts given by Dr. James with text of her own. Towards the end of her report there is a section that explains the difference between a supportive driver and an aggressive driver, which I think everyone should read.

Advice to Future Generations

The best I can give you future generations is to keep up with time. I feel that reading current material on current events is crucial in developing critical thinking skills. Although you shouldn’t believe everything you read, it’s always good to know that you have an arsenal of knowledge. Another piece of advice is “you get what you put in”. I stand by that saying because you can’t get through anything in life without putting in your share of the work. Anyone can show up in class everyday, but if the work isn’t done then it means nothing. Lastly, understand the material. You can’t write a good piece of literature if you don’t get the material you are trying to write about. Other than that, all I have left to say is: You are going to enjoy this course. If you want to learn, that is!

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