Why I chose this Report

I chose Kristin Subia's report because I find communication essential and always evolving. We communicate on different levels, in so many other ways than with spoken words. A lot of what we say and how we say it can be further understood in the way we say things. We speak with our eyes and body and most clearly in our actions. In addition, I chose this report because I thought it would be interesting to look at the ways in which we communicate in our roles as driver, passenger and pedestrian.

Communication according to Merriam Webster's collegiate dictionary (10th edition) is a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.

I recall reading a warning against flashing your headlights at a car without their headlights on. It used to mean that you needed to turn on your lights because you are driving without them on. However, in the warning I read doing this now is an invitation for a confrontation. I think sticking to the ?universally known language? (such as smiling) is the only way to effectively communicate.

How I found this report

I found this report by exploring the generation files. This issue was born back in Generation 7c and has continued to grow and develop with each following generation. Kristin Evert presented her view that driving communication is ?The Hardest Language to Learn, and Chris Flores presented his view on the signs and signals of communication.

Summary of Report

Kristin Subia's report stressed the drivers' responsibility to effectively communicate as an essential factor in preventing accidents and maintaining safety. Ms. Subia details the situations, methods and offers recommendation to communicate effectively. However, as language evolves with the introduction of slang words and new words, I found additional forms of communication in the language of driving since Ms. Subia's report.

As a pedestrian walking in the crosswalk, I recently encountered a driver revving his engine. He was communicating his impatience with having to wait for the pedestrians to complete crossing the street. I also hear a lot of horn honking lately. The length of the honking also communicates the level of anger/irritation/impatience the driver is experiencing and wants the person in front to know.

My Reaction

My reaction is that we should be aware of the message(s) we send and our reaction to the ones we receive. Communication in any form is powerful and just as words when expressed in the heat of the moment are often times damaging.

Perception of what we think/feel others are communicating to us also determines how we react. This is where things such as culture, personality, locus of control come into play. It is so easy to be misunderstood and to misunderstand, that is why I feel it is essential to practice charitable thought when faced with negative feelings while driving/riding/walking.

Language in all forms is continuously evolving. We know the basics of what the colored lights and street signs represent. This information is crucial to driving/walking safely to our destination. In addition the unwritten (not found in the driver?s manual) language of facial and physical gestures are critical in our social interaction with others on the roads. If we are able to master the basic etiquette of language (utilize our emotional intelligence) in our roles and driver/passenger/pedestrian, I feel there will be a decrease of road rage.

A Comparison

Ms. Subia's report was pleasing to the eye in addition to being well written. I feel her personal experiences added validity to her report. It was an eye opening experience for me to read and learn from its content.

In addition her report was detailed looking at communication in different situations and the varying methods drivers communicate. We as drivers must be aware and accept responsibility of the way we communicate with others on the roads.

Why I chose this Report

I chose this report because it serves to support my view that how we learn to drive (in addition to learning from our parents/caregivers) is through modeling. As many children, we grew up watching a lot of television and movies. A lot of the action packed shows usually involve car chases. Television shows present fast foreign cars usually red in color (Magnum P.I.) or the top of the line sports cars like those in the movie Ronin and most all of James Bond?s movies. These images become strongly ingrain in young impressionable minds and before we realize it we find many that try to imitate what they have learned from these images. TV shows and movies portray that it is ?cool? and possible to maneuver vehicles the way they do in this media. Until recent car commercials, no disclaimers were presented about the cars being driven by professional drivers. Therefore, I selected this report because it gives us insight to why we drive the way we do.

How I found this report

I came upon Brian Carey?s report while looking through past generations. I found it an interesting perspective because it deals with the basis of driving with emotional intelligence.

Summary of Report

Mr. Carey presents a solid report on how the practice of ?crazy driving? becomes part of our lives through the larger than life images of soupe-up cars doing spectacular stunts, car chases and car explosions. Mr. Carey expresses that these portrayals are where the attitudes regarding ?crazy driving? stem from. He further supports his view by adding how vehicles are continually commercialized in the media.

My Reaction

I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Carey?s report because he presented an important social and psychological issue and offered possible solutions. I would add the matter of insurance cost to his report. I feel it lends logistical support. It is a known fact that insuring sports or sports utility vehicles are far more costly than insuring non sports vehicles. Is it because the drivers of this car have a greater risk of accidents and theft? I am sure this is a strong basis for the difference in insurance cost.

A Comparison

Mr. Carey report was significant because he presented an issue that spans over 30 years of driving portrayals (1970s ? Dukes of Hazards to the 1990s ? The Fifth Element). It was obvious that he believed in what he wrote and possesses a high level of emotional and logical intelligence. His report was easy to follow and relate to because TV watching is a societal norm for most of us. I would add that responsible watching (parents who monitor and watch the shows their children watch so they can explain and answer questions) could elevate future misrepresentations and potential creation of ?crazy? drivers.

Why I chose this Report

I chose this report because the theme of these reports is communication. I am reminded of the book, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus as I read about Gender Differences. I also chose this report because of my personal interest in how differently I drive compared to how my husband drives.

How I found this report

I found Cara Lucey?s report by looking through past generations. I feel this is an interesting topic and wanted to explore the norms, stereotypes and issues in gender differences.

Summary of Report

Ms. Lucey looks at how the norms, stereotype and expectations apply. She offers definitions, examples and personal experiences. In addition, she conducts a small survey that produces results that most of us have come to accept as the ?norm? . Her findings were that women scored slightly higher in all areas except in areas of compulsion, competition and over-sensitivity to social pressure. She is quick to add that because her population for this study was so small, her findings do not prove there is any significant gender differences in driving norms.

Ms. Lucey presents sound implications and recommendations to the possibility of gender differences in the driving norm. Ms. Lucey was challenged in researching this report and in the end challenges future generations to conduct more detailed studies.

My Reaction

I can see the work Ms. Lucey underwent in order to gather information to present this report. I agree that more studies have to be conducted although most of us are aware that men and women differ in a lot of things (e.g. the way we communicate). Therefore, it only makes sense that we would differ in the way we drive.

I would add that our environment (society) is a strong influence to why men and women differ. If you think the of studies that have been done between newborns (gender identified only by the color of their receiving blankets) and nurses. It was found that baby boys were handled less, permitted to cry longer, and not handled as gently as baby girls. This is not to say they were abused in any way, but it was socially viewed by the nurses as ?toughing? them because they were boys. This mentality has continued throughout life in the norm that boys play with trucks and girls play with dolls. Boys are taught it is socially acceptable (if not expected ) that they be aggressive and strong, while girls are socially influenced to be nurturing and supportive. Of course there are exceptions to the rules, which is what makes this area of study so interesting. In comes the age-old question of nature vs. nurture.

I offer a personal example. I am female. I was raised to be self-sufficient. I can and have changed my own flat tire, never waiting or expecting it could only be done by a man (I have nothing against men helping women). However, my sister is not the same way. She will gladly wait on the roadside, bat her lashes, smile and wait for a ?knight? to rescue her. We were raised in the same environment, so other factors have to be looked at to explain the differences. If we can find differences within our gender it seems logical that we would find differences outside of them. I would prefer we focus on the similarities and accept our little differences.

A Comparison

I enjoyed the format of Ms. Lucey?s report. I understand why (although a little disappointed) more information on the possible causes between the gender differences was not presented.

This specific topic has been discussed in class and many agree that there are differences. However, a few are quick to point out that they know both men and women who do not present the stereotypical male or female driver. Giving into the stereotypes as justification for why men/women drive the way they do only helps the stereotypes continue to exist.