Shari Arakawa-Longboy

E-mail: sharia@hawaii.edu

01/26/04

Topic: Principles of Traffic Psychology

Reference #1 (http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy/traffic/tpintro.html)

A,  Definition: Being able to use behavior modification techniques and knowing how to use it when you are in a situation that entails traffic.

• "The knowledge one acquires about how to use behavioral principles to modify one’s own style in traffic situations including driving, bicycling, walking, and other forms of locomotion in shared spaces." (http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy/traffic/tpintro.html)

C.  Accomplishing the two main goals of traffic psychology through driver education courses, and its benefits.

1. Decrease number of auto accidents
2. Improve American Character.
3. Benefits of traffic psychology. (see list on page 3 of web-site)

II.  What is "traffic personality?" (pg. 2 of web-site)

1. Definition: term used to define how we behave and act while driving.

1. "driving persona"

B.  How does traffic personality tie in with the cultural and psychological aspects of driving?

C.  Teaching "traffic personality" in driver education courses.

1. Distribute tests that can measure or rate your traffic personality.

2. Offer self-change methods.

III.  Theory of driving (pg. 5 of web-site)

A.  Definition: two parts to the theory of driving.

1. External factors

1. road conditions

2. those around us

3. vehicle manipulation

4. situation + disposition = theory of driving

            2.  Internal factors

1. personal dispositions

2. cognition’s

3. decisions

B.  Relating to cultural and psychological aspects of driving

1. Everyday examples

C.  Teaching the theory in driver education courses.

IV.  Three domains of driving behavior (pg. 6 of web-site)

A.  Definition: will, understanding, actions = affective, cognitive, and psychomotor behaviors.

1. Affective behavior

2. Cognitive behavior

3. Psychomotor behavior

B.  How it relates to the cultural and psychological aspects of driving.

1. Human nature

C. Teaching concept in driver education courses.

1. becoming more self-aware and changing driving persona

2. We choose to be angry or not (pg. 35 of text)

V.  Automatization of driving behavior (pg. 9 of web-site)

1. Definition: the automatic and habituated behavior that comes with driving.

1. Double edged sword

1. pros

2. cons

1. Not an excuse to drive aggressively

1. establishing what good and bad habits are
2. Takes more effort to unlearn bad habits than it does to learn them.

1. Provide inner tools
2. Road rage tests
3. The change starts from within.
4. Emotional literacy (pg. 38 of text)
5. Tips and advice (pg. 39 of text book)

George Washington’s Rules of Civility

Rule 1: "Every action done to another driver ought to be done with some sign of respect."

Rule 22: "Shew not yourself glad at the misfortune of another though he were your enemy."

Rule 45: "Don’t show any sign of anger in your interactions with other motorists, but show instead signs of "sweetness and mildness.""

(Leon James, "Road Rage and Aggressive Driving,"  p.37)