2) In summary, my presentation was about the American Psychological Association, and their take on aggressive driving among American drivers. In their short presentation on "Car wars: taming drivers' aggression", by Scott Sleek, they provide a definition of aggressive driving, and discuss the behaviors that define the words. They provide a little background on the history of aggressive driving and explain, in general why people feel the need to speed, and offer ideas for promoting safer driving behavior.
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3) The following questions were asked by students in the class regarding my presentation:
1. What is your own definition of aggressive driving? What is your own theory of why so many drivers are aggressive? -Dr. James
In my own opinion, aggressive driving simply means any driving behavior that violates the rules of the road, no matter how little the extent is. I think that drivers are aggressive for many reasons. It may be because of some personal problems, and/or conditions on the road itself (traffic, other's driving behavior, etc.).
2. Higher stress? Is driving stressful in general or only in heavy traffic? Has the amount of stress increased or decreased over the years?
I think that driving is stressful in general, although heavy traffic has a great deal to do with it. It all depends on the individual (personality and/or the social ills that were discussed in my presentation. Personally, I feel that the amount of stress has increased over the years. Roads are more congested, especially from what I notice here on Oahu.
3. Do you think that traffic can cause a person to become severely ill (e.g. high blood pressure, hypertension)? What is your definition of aggressiveness on the road? What do you think causes stress on the road (traffic, pedestrians, slow drivers, etc.?)Do you think the driver himself is causing his/her own stress, or the people in their way?
-Alma Valvieja
Yes, I think that traffic can cause high blood pressure and hypertension. It is found that people who have to commute longer to get to work have these health problems. Aggressiveness on the road, in my opinion, is any degree of driving behavior that is against the laws of the road. I feel that all of these factors contribute to stress on the road, including the driver himself. Many people have aggressive characteristics to begin with, which I feel influence the way they drive.
4. Knowing that people tend to rate themselves higher than others in terms of driving skill, how would you rate yourself?
Honestly, I don't consider myself any better at driving as the next person. I consider myself as being one of those "lucky" people who haven't gotten into any kind of accident or any tickets.
5. Why do you think that normally level-minded individuals will change and become aggressive, and even dangerous when behind the wheel? Why do people think of themselves as being better than average drivers? Are they being biased or unbiased?
In my opinion, even normally level-minded people can get pushed too far and display aggressiveness depending on the situation, like if they are provoked to do so. For example, someone sticking out his/her finger would make anyone mad. It also depends on the person's state of mind at the time. After all, even level-minded people experience stress in all degrees.
6. Do you believe all the correlations made as truth, or are they unjustified? Do they have enough evidence or studies to really convince the reader?
I feel that all the correlations are somewhat unjustified. Although there are studies that provide evidence of these correlations, I don't feel it's enough to convince me. I feel much more research can be done on the causes of this type of behavior.
7. Does the driving make the person have problems in their life or is it the problems in a person's life that he takes out through aggressive driving?
I feel both contribute to aggressive driving. I think it's the latter that influences aggressive driving behavior. From my own knowledge and from the information provided to me, a lot has to do with an individual's personality, the type of person he/she is. Everyone handles stress differently.
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4) In my presentation, I tried to be as informative as I could. I explained what the American Psychology Association was about. The article didn't provide a detailed description of aggressive driving, but I tried to be as thorough as I could. The question and answer period went well. Everyone had many opinions and ideas to share.
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