Outline of My First Oral Presentation

Ch. 5 Emotional Intelligence for Drivers

This is a presentation of Road Rage and Aggressive Driving, Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl (p.111-119)

Published by Prometheus Books 2000

By:  Jennifer Higa

 

Instructions for this report are found at:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy21/409a-g21-oral.htm

 

 

I.                    Inner Power Tools

a.       Ways in which an individual can hold back their old driving personality.

                                                               i.      Two techniques include relaxation and re-thinking of the situation.

b.      Venting.

                                                               i.      Way of justifying aggression.

                                                             ii.      Causes accelerated aggression that can lead to violent action.

                                                            iii.      The violent actions increase in severity.

1.      Can start with verbal abuse and escalating to shooting or strangling.

c.       Teachings from book

                                                               i.      Inhibit venting and let the excitatory endangerment dissipate.

 

II.                 Overcoming Emotional Hijacking

a.       Studies of the brain

                                                               i.      Research from Daniel Goleman shows that emotional explosions are literally “emotional hijackings” or a “neural takeover”

                                                             ii.      Balance between emotional and rational brain functions is broken with intense emotion.

                                                            iii.      Causes the thinking to correspond to the feeling.

b.      Teachings in schools

                                                               i.      Goleman argues for an expanded school curriculum that involves “emotional literacy”

1.      Includes self-awareness and self-management skills.

                                                             ii.      Programs have worked in places were they were implemented.

1.      Less fights, greater emotional self-awareness, better conflict resolution skills.

                                                            iii.      Starting early

1.      Should have driving psychology in school from grades K-12.

2.      Be a good role model for future generations.

3.      Practice new strategies for road rage containment.

a.       Some include learning emotional intelligence techniques, participating in Quality Driving circle, participating in children against road rage (CARR) with your own children.

 

 

III.               Three Levels of Emotional Intelligence

a.       Level 1-Oppositional Driving

                                                               i.      Our feelings are oppositional and negative, made worse by irrational thought patterns.

                                                             ii.      Actions include being selfish, reckless, hostile, feels insulted and insecure.

b.      Level 2-Defensive Driving

                                                               i.      Teaches to concentrate on safety of others and to be logical.

                                                             ii.      Actions can include being suspicious and competitive.

                                                            iii.      Disadvantage: feeling competitive leaves room for negative thoughts or impatience.

c.       Level 3-Supportive Driving

                                                               i.      Using a positive approach to avoid negativity of defensive and oppositional drivers.

                                                             ii.      Use of prosocial thought patterns.  Finding an excuse for others actions not fault.

                                                            iii.      Actions include being helpful and friendly, optimistic and expressing enjoyment.

 

 

My Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2004/higa/home.htm

Helpful Links: http://webhome.idirect.com/~kehamilt/rage.htm

                      http://roadragers.com/

                      http://www.awesomelibrary.org/road-rage.html