Introduction

        Many of us may consider ourselves good drivers and feel we do not need to change. We follow the law and are not aggressive drivers. However, what about those that thinks they need to be evaluated. These people want to improve on their driving skills. A solution would be a "driving buddy" which can lead to a "driving personality make-over." In this report, I will introduce these concepts and will kindly explain what is involved based on Kyle Saiki?s mini experiment to better understand it.
 

Summary of the report

Definitions
        Based on Kyle Saiki?s report a "driving buddy" or "driving partner" is someone who serves as a source of unbiased feedback in regards to one?s driving. He/she honestly and openly comments and analyzes a driver?s actions and feelings. It is the responsibility of the driving buddy to keep the driver informed during the driving experience in order to make improvements upon their driving style.
        On the other hand, a driving personality make-over is a process in which one voluntarily alters their driving behavior and habits for the better. The process involves three basic steps and they are (1) acknowledging ones shortcomings through self-witnessing, (2) creating and implementing a plan that will modify driving behavior in a positive manner, (3) assuming all responsibilities as a driver behind the wheel of a vehicle. Along with these basic steps, monitoring of affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor responses to any given situation on the road is involve.
        A driving personality makeover in a sense is the resultant of having a driving buddy. It benefits one to become a better driver if the individual is willing to absorb any information and criticism the buddy was able to provide and turn it into something positive.
 

Being a driving buddy in Kyle?s perspectives
        To carry out his mini experiment, Kyle decided to have one of his guy friends as his subject. As a side note, asking a friend could be a bad idea especially if the friendship bond gets affected in the end. However, to prevent this problem and any hostility Kyle agree to deliver his critiques in an artful manner and avoid making personalized attacks while his friend would not take the criticism as a personal attack and would not be offended by whatever Kyle say. The experiment required two different days, where one day assigned just for observation and the other day for observation with comments towards the driver.

Below is a summary of what happened within the three different types of responses.
1. Affective (attitudes, values, emotions)
2. Cognitive (thoughts, beliefs, justifications)
3. Sensorimotor (motor performance, verbalizations & facial expressions).

Day 1
* The situation caused the friend to be a bit self conscious, uncomfortable, and more attentive in his driving.
* Subject openly shared his disapproval of other drivers especially women. He dislikes many female drivers because "they can?t decide on one lane and don?t drive the speed limit." He suggested that women should rather "drive late at night when they have no one to inconvenience but themselves."
* Subject had a frown on his face when a driver merged in front without signaling and seemed to be irritated.

Day 2
* Subject was irritated with Kyle?s advice on driving with the speed limit and allowing faster drivers to pass by.
* The friend was very defensive on his driving behavior and felt he was a good driver. He felt strongly that justice was not being served because if he had to abide by all traffic laws then everyone should to.
* A frown fixated on his face was clearly observed.
 
 

Conclusion

         The friendship between Kyle and his friend did not suffer in any way. They both remained friends even though the friend did not enjoy the experiment very much. Kyle, on the other hand, feels that the experience can serve as a valuable lesson because it allows him to be aware of many habits of other drivers as well as him.  As for me, I think that having a driving buddy and driving personality makeovers are interesting and would consider myself doing it. I personally feel it is both beneficial towards the "buddy" and the driver. Each one can learn from one another habits and mistakes.
 

Questions and Answers
Dr. James
Q: Would you recommend the use of a driving buddy? Why? Does it involve "criticism" or not?
A: Yes, because I think that it is a way where we could help someone in their driving style and habits. It is a learning experience where negative driving skills can be pointed out by the driving buddy that is normally can not be easily acknowledge while driving. In some ways, I think it involves criticism because the driving buddy will based their judgement on that particular event and experience or what they have already thought of the person.

Q: I s driving "behavior" or "personality"? Explain.
A: I think that it's more on the behavior side. We learned how to drive from watching others. We pick up things that we physically see, which the behavior greatly reflects on us.  The actions we perform while driving reflects our behavior as people and not the qualities we are as individuals, which is our personality.

Q: What plans would you recommend for improving people?s driving?
A: A video where it shows the outcome of bad driving or offering drivers of different scenario and asking them how would they react if they were in that situation. Or a video of themselves, therefore, it will be in actually of how they are when they are behind the wheel.  By this method, the person will not be able to say I did/didn?t commit such action.

Lianne Allianic
Q: What are the differences between a backseat driver and a buddy? Which one is more beneficial to the driver?
A: I do not think there is a difference between the two terms. Both seems to be portraying the same concept of giving suggestions based on the criticism to a driver who is being evaluated.

Q: How do buddy drivers help the actual drivers?
A: A buddy driver helps by making the actual driver be aware of behaviors or actions that may not be aware on the first place.

Tara Anthony
Q: Why might some men blame all women as bad drivers but fail to recognize that men can be bad drivers too?
A: Because they may have a stereotype against all women in general therefore their judgement on things are affected.

Q: Do you think traffic laws make people feel a loss of control?
A: No, because traffic laws were intended to prevent accidents and not to take away power (control).

Argyle Bumanglag
Q: Wouldn?t a driving buddy be slightly biased because he/she would be judging your driving based on their experiences?
A: Yes, I would think so especially if they based their criticism on that one particular experience.

Q: You mentioned several examples of how a driving buddy made this person be more self-conscious of his driving. In your own opinion, is this positive or negative.
A: I think making a person more self-conscious is a positive thing because it is in the sense of way that will make them more aware of what?s around them (more in-tune within the moment).

Isabel Chang
Q: Do you think women drive better or men?
A: From my personal experience, I think women are more of better drivers than men are.  However, there are many men who make better drivers than women.  Which ever gender you portray does not make a big difference, but it is how you install you morals and good driving skills that makes you a better driver than the driver next to you.

Q: Does every driver need a driving buddy?
A: Definitely no.  I think that it is more effective and beneficial if the person who wants to have a driving buddy ask to be evaluated. They are acknowledging that they have a problem and is making the effort to improve.

Q: Is it better to have a female driving buddy or a male driving buddy?
A: I do not think the gender of a person makes a big difference.  What matters is who you consider will make a good driving buddy for you.

Leena-Rose Dwiggins
Q: Do you feel this form of peer pressure is effective in changing driving patterns?
A: It could be an effective way in changing negative driving habits. However, I would not use the term peer pressure because no one is being pressured to do something that is bad.  A driving buddy is essentially be giving directions that should coincide with the law and should be giving you good advice to better yourself as a driver.

Anthony Guerra
Q: Can a person just be their own driving buddy?
A: Yes, why not. If a driver is very open-minded and is motivated to improve on their driver then the driver will definitely make the effort to be less judgement on what they think is correct and be more self-accepting that there are some things that needs to be improve on.

Amy Hayashida
Q: How can someone give a completely unbiased view?
A: By being more critical and rational on any criticism that one makes.

Q: Is the idea of being in control always bad?
A: Definitely no. There are times that we need to be in control of our actions and ourselves and there are times we need to let go of our guards.

Janice Kamm
Q: What if your "driving buddy" is a worse driver than you?
A: At least then, both parties can learn from it. Probably, as a better driver you will learn more because you will learn from their mistakes.

Q: Do you think that women are becoming more aggressive drivers because of the stereotype of women drivers?
A: In a certain degree. I think that women are becoming more aggressive drivers because of the stereotype that we (women) are receiving, which is we are not aggressive enough. By being aggressive on the road, we are trying to disprove this claim, which is a very negative solution.

Tomoko Seino
Q: How can we make a driver buddy effective in everyday life?
A: By always remembering what was learned on that particular experience and the responses received. Also, it would be a good idea if we create a follow-up evaluation with the first one to see if we actually made some changes and improvement.

Robby Solmssen
Q: Do you think that male drivers are more inhibited or intimidated by the interviewer, rather than a female?
A: It could be.  However, there are some women that can be as intimidated as men are.  Therefore, it greatly depends on the person as a whole and not by their gender.

Sandee Uyehara
Q: Do you think backseat drivers affect the emotional intelligence of the driver.
A: Definitely yes. Either way (observing or giving responses to the driver) affects a driver.

Q: Does your driving behavior change when you are driving with a friend?
A: Yes. It seems that I drive more recklessly just to show that I can be bad also, meaning I am not one of those driver that always follow the law.

James Yang
Q: Doesn?t it seem that being a "backseat driver" would create more problems than good? Isn?t it more of a distracting for the driver?
A: It could create some problem, especially if the backseat driver is not as critical and rational in their judgement. It may be distracting such that the driver lose their train of thoughts on the road when the driving buddy is giving their comments..

Q: How can we change our driving behaviors?
A: It first depends on our attitudes. We need to have positive perspective with the things in our lives and emphasis of empathy with other drivers. Always remember the motto "do unto others as you would want them to do unto you." Drive for the goodness of you and others and not to put anyone in danger.

Reactions to the presentation, question, and answer period
        I felt nervous giving my presentation. I was nervous in that I might blank out; I would not be able to present the material too well to the audience; I would not be able to answer the questions asked because I did not know the material so well. However, after Dr. James made the comment about SOB instead of SUV (which I was talking about) I was more at ease with the material.
        From my observation, I think that my audience was okay with the information and in somewhat interested with my subject. Looking around the room, I?ve notice that my classmates? eyes were fixed on me, which was good because it was a sign that I got their attention.
        The questions asked were very good and interesting. I tried my best in answering them and I hope that it shows that.
 

A comparison with my fellow G13ers
       I think my oral report is all right compared to the rest. It?s somewhat different that appeal to me.  I don't have a lot of icons or have a beautiful background, however, I feel it should be the contain of the report that counts more than how it looks.
 

Suggestion for Future Generations
I can advise three things.

1.  Always have a back-up file of all your work. Dr. James advised us in the beginning that we save our work in two diskettes. I learned this lesson when I thought I lost my diskette in the clic lab twice. Luckily, someone turned it in and so I was able to retrieve it the next day.

2.  Keep up with the assignments. I suggest you working on the class work every week and do not fall behind.

3.  Never wait and think you will be able to do all the work in just two days. You probably could if you plan to not sleep for those two days. Therefore, always plan ahead.