Report 1
1. Preface
Driving Psychology is a Course
about understanding and preventing aggressive driving and road rage. A person’s driving psychology is split into
three domains that effects how one drives and reacts to hazardous driving
situations. The three domains are:
affective self, cognitive self and sensorimotor self. These domains are a mixture of feelings, thought processes and
physical actions behind the wheel. Dr.
There was also a lot of information on specific actions of driving in previous generations. For example, many students focused on speeding, tailgating, convoying, and cell phone usage while driving. All of these situations are negative habits that cause negative emotions. Negative emotions lead to aggressive driving. Many students discussed influences that cause aggressive driving (from three fold self). Some biological factors were gender and innate characteristics. Prior generations discussed cognitive processes and sensorimotor skills when writing self-witnessing reports. I am really looking forward to the driver makeover section of the class because this is where I can really take something out of the class. Driving makeover will allow me recognize bad habits and correct them. Cara Lucy’s report on gender was an excellent report on a biological aspect of the three folds self. Cara states how men are more aggressive than women, but women are showing more aggression while driving. She also talks about how women can be put in a submissive and compliant role due to gender norms in society. The next report I chose was speeding by Nancee Aki. She discussed how a big part of speeding was due to people being in a rush and conformity. I feel that conformity is a big part of speeding. While driving on the highway no one wants to be hold up traffic or stop the flow. Drivers will speed to keep up with traffic. Conformity is caused by peer pressure from other drivers. I know I don’t want to get yelled at.
The third topic that interested me was tailgating by Denise Tanaka. I tail gate also and could relate to her story. Denise talks about how keeping her anger in check was not as easy as she thought. I feel that this will be a difficult topic for my self as well.
2. Introduction
The main topic of Driving Psychology is the causes, effects and prevention of road rage and aggression. The reason people have road rage or drive aggressive is due to their mind frame while driving. Their cognitive mindset is driving behavior. As stated before, there are three interacting domains. These three domains combine to make the drivers three fold self. The domains are: affective self, cognitive self and the sensorimotor self. Individuals develop the three fold self through biological, cultural, and cognitive influences. For example, parents, media, peers pressure, self -serving biases, and the trigger theory all affect our style of driving. It is important to analyze these factors in order to understand why negative emotions occur while driving. If a person understands they develop negative emotions due to parents influence, it is easier to vent or release anger in uncivilized way. Ikue Fukushima says, Driving Psychology teaches individuals to logically make decisions under the influence of negative emotions. I see this course as a great opportunity to become a safer driver and learn how to suppress negative feelings while driving. We live in such an aggressive society; one can’t help but drive aggressively. Mark N Corpuz states that aggressive entertainment like the movie “Fast and Furious” and video games like “Vice City’, are affecting impressionable kids and adults. The readiness to use violence is a cultural habit.
40,000 individuals die annually from automobile accidents. The number is not going to decrease because a few students are taking a Driving Psychology class. Supportive driving, which is being aware of other drivers mistakes and having empathy for other drivers, is going to take time and will be difficult. The first reason I am involved in this topic is because I drive a car every day. When a person receives their license it’s their duty to be as safe as possible. Drivers are responsible for their own lives as well as others. The main reason I am involved, is because I need to improve my emotions as a driver. My sensorimotor skills are average but affective and cognitive need some improvement. The topic means a lot to me because negative emotions can get the best of me sometime while driving. Many times driving five minutes can ruin my whole day. I have tried to improve but didn’t know strategies or where to start. Driving Psychology seems to have a lot of to offer. The driver’s make over and life long driver education are programs to eliminate aggressive driving. The consequence will be a positive one for me. I am definitely looking forward to get as much positive feedback as possible. With all of the information and techniques from Dr. James, prior generations and my generation, there is no reason I can’t improve as a driver.
3. Definitions
i. Drivers Three Fold Self- The three fold self is driving behavior stemming from three different domains. These three domains are: Affective Self- This is the motives and reasons behind the actions of the driver. What was the motivation behind the driver who deliberately hit another car after being cut off? Cognitive Self- The cognitive self is our thinking while driving. Thinking and reasoning can be logical or illogical. Illogical usually stems from negative emotion that leads to aggressive driving. Sensorimotor Self- The sensorimotor self is in charge of our five senses and physical movements while driving. An example would be signaling before changing a lane or lane hopping. All three domains make up our driving style. An individual develops these domains through Biological, cultural, and sociological influences. Parents, media, and peer pressure are all examples.
ii. Self-witnessing Methodology – This is a self- helping methodology. An individual most objectively views him or herself in three behavior zones. The three behavior zones are emotions, thoughts and actions. In order to objectively observe, you must look at yourself from an outsider’s perspective. One way to accomplish this would be videotaping your self while driving. You will view negative emotions, retaliating and motivation. Self-witnessing methodology is an important step to help a person recognize their negative driving habits.
iii. Road Rage- is a temporary hostile behavior that can be expressed through physical actions, verbal assault or feelings of contempt toward another driver. Road rage can develop due to three influences. First are negative emotions toward a certain situation. Being stuck in rush hour traffic is an example. Second, is thinking negative toward another driver. Many believe that road rage is physical violence toward another person or vehicle, but road rage can be just having thoughts of punishment or violence towards another (automotive vigilantism). Last is the actual physical nature of driving. An extreme example of road rage would be a man physically assaulting another driver after being cut off.
iv.
Aggressive Driving Legislation- Legislation at Federal and city
levels is developing aggressive driving bills to coincide with police officers
effects to stop aggressive
driving. One bill allows public
participation in reporting aggressive drivers to local authorities. If evidence is strong the driver can be
prosecuted. Also, there are more funds
for unmarked police car. In
v. Emotional Intelligence- Emotional Intelligence is the logical or illogical reason that develops when stressed. Does emotions control your actions or does actions have control your emotions? This is an important question to ask while driving under stressful conditions. An individual with good emotional intelligence will not vent by thinking the situation over, use inner power tools and relaxation techniques. The inner power tools are ways suppress bad driving habits. The willpower to take deep breaths instead of venting is an example of an inner power tool. An individual with low emotional intelligence would allow him or herself to vent or release negative emotion. Low emotional intelligence allows your negative emotions get the best of you.
vi. Emotional Spin Cycle- As soon as an individual gets into the car to drive, the emotional spin cycle begins. The spin cycle may fluxgate between positive emotions and negative emotions. A driver may be feeling good and the day may be perfect. Then all of the sudden he or she is driving on H1 and there is back up traffic for twelve miles. It is hot and the driver doesn’t have air conditioner. His emotions can immediately turn to negative. As the driver begins to switch lanes someone squeezes in front of him. The very happy driver may then develop negative emotions. He tenses up and begins to develop feeling of automotive vigilantism. I believe that the spin cycle can occur at any time from negative to positive or vice versa. It also has to do with the attitude of the driver that particular day or time.
viii. Life Long Driver Education- Life long driver education is the idea of helping current and future drivers to be less aggressive and safer drivers. Life long driver education says drivers never stop learning and start at a young age. Life Long Driver Education is non-stop and teaches emotional and physical aspects of driving. Kids are learning aggressive driving behavior when exposed to violence on television, video games or parents. Keeping young children away from aggressive media will not only help future driving but will also help their mental health in general. In elementary school children need to learn affective driving skills. For example, how drivers create stress for others. In middle school kids can learn cognitive driving skills. For example, teaching kids how to acknowledge the human rights of all drivers. Ages eleven through fifteen, is a critical time period to heavily teach children about aggressive driving. One of the easiest ways to teach children how to use emotional intelligence under certain situations is to set good examples. Parents should show kids how to be supportive drivers. When kids are in high school they will have a good base and the actual driving can be taught. Once license is received, Life Long Driver Education shouldn’t stop. Drivers should always try to become better supportive drivers.
ix. Convoying- Convoying is when a group of cars are traveling in a pack. Convoying usually takes place in the left lane. Laura Izutsu explains that a major reason for convoys is to have a reference group we can compare ourselves to. Usually there is a leader and everyone behind the leader feels safe because of the belief that the leader will be pulled over first. It gives the driver a sense of security from being pulled over. I find myself traveling in convoys when traveling on long trips or when in a hurry on the highway. Traveling closely at high speeds is very dangerous. If one car hits the breaks or swerves, the results could be deadly.
x. Trigger Theory of Road Rage- Trigger theory is a cause and effect assumption based on individuals own negative emotions that justify aggressing back. Most drivers assume it was the other driver that triggered reaction. People don’t look at themselves as being their own trigger. Driver A may break a rule that gets driver B angry. Driver B feels angry and wants to punish. This makes driver B feel better. Many drivers believe that retaliating is a basic right. A person that has low emotional intelligence will allow the trigger theory get the best of them. Drivers need to be responsible for their actions.
Reference- Road Rage and
Aggressive Driving. Dr. James and Dr.
Nahl. Prometheus Books,
4. Autobiographical
I would definitely have to describe myself as an aggressive driver. After evaluating myself and talking to family, I realized that I am impatient and have a negative outlook when driving. My aggression is due to influences that stem from cognitive and affective levels of the three fold self. I believe a major problem I have is a self-serving bias. I believe the road is for me to travel places and don’t regard other people. I lack empathy. I also lack emotional intelligence. I asked my father what he thought of my driving. He said I drive like I’m the only person who needs to get somewhere. My father won’t drive with me because we always fight about driving techniques. Lacking emotional intelligence allows me to look at other drivers as the trigger to emotions. According to the trigger theory, my own negative emotions trigger my yelling or frustration toward other drivers. Having an aggressive attitude allows me to develop a mind frame of automotive vigilantism. Many times when I retaliate to another driver I have thoughts of punishment. This is where the self- serving bias comes in. I justify by saying “At least I didn’t act on these thoughts of punishments, I just express them by yelling”. Even though I don’t act on these emotions it’s not healthy to vent in any way. Being an aggressive driver is due to many factors. The first factor is biological. One innate characteristic that I have is aggressiveness. This trait has helped me in areas of sports and competition but not behind the wheel. The second factor is learned behavior. My father is an aggressive driver. Growing up I remember a lady cutting my father off, and he proceeded to follow her. Once she arrived at her destination, my father yelled and cursed at her. Witnessing my fathers aggressive driving has had an effect on my driving style. Like father like son.
Playing sports like football and
hockey, which thrive on aggression, has also conditioned me to be
aggressive. I was rewarded for making
plays and being aggressive. I have also
learned aggressive driving through my peers.
My friends and I are all very similar in high school. During this time, I didn’t have one friend
who had issues with driving. Issues
were speeding tickets, accidents or close calls. My friends and I all drove aggressively and without care for
others. Driving dangerously was
accepted among my comparison group. I
always thought it was a phase, but learning these behaviors has carried into
the next stage of our lives. Two of m
friends have received DWI’s. My friend
Dave and my self have had our license suspended for to many speeding
tickets. In my case, learned behavior
from peers has had a huge effect on my driving style. The next influence on my driving style is cultural. Mark Corpuz, talks about how aggressive
behavior is accepted in our society.
Mark shows how aggression is accepted through television and video
games. As a child I loved action and
war films. One of my favorite shows was
“Mad Max”. “Mad Max” was a movie was
based on two tribes fighting each other in automobiles. Video games like
5. Conclusion
This assignment allowed me to view and analyze my driving. If I never enrolled I would have gone on driving without ever realizing I have habits to correct. I believe many people don’t really put much thinking into driving psychology. Most people are thinking about the conclusion of driving or the destination or activity driving allows them to take part in. It helpful to look at others generations and compare their notes with mine. It’s reassuring that there are other people with bad habits just like my self. This report was useful because the first step to becoming a supportive driver is admitting that you have bad habits and report 1 has allowed me to establish these habits. I definitely feel a report similar to report 1 would definitely be a big help in the life long drivers education. If drivers could write about their driving or keep a journal, it would improve their supportive driving immensely. Teaching supportive driving is not going to have a major effect for years to come. Stopping aggression in our current society is not impossible but very hard and will take time. The best start is to have classes like driving psychology class’s available worldwide in schools. Start education at a young age and continue throughout late adult hood. Always be willing to learn and improve driving style.
6. Future Generations
Future generations should try to get as much new information on driving psychology and combine our generation and previous generations. I am sure by next year there will be new bills passed and more incidents of aggressive driving and road rage. My advice is to come into this class with the mindset of change and understanding. This is what I have chosen to do and I am getting free counseling on how to become a better driver. Improving my driving is the most beneficial part of the class.
Links: G-20 home page