Looking through the Generational Curriculum, it is interesting to see
what other people's experiences with driving were.
First of all, the definitons of traffic psychology as reported by members of the
previous generations:
- Letitia
Lujan reports, "Traffic Psychology helps us to realize
our actions and in essence, our driving personalities. After we are able to
realize them, we can start work on trying to understand them. Realizing and
understanding are two very different things. After understanding takes
place, we can work on change and our reasons for it."
- One of
Jae Isa's definiton defines Traffic Psychology as "the study of behavioral
patterns and psychological theories regarding various issues of traffic in any
shape or form. Its two main purposes are to decrease auto accidents and
fatalities and to improve the American character. The goal of our course (is)
to modify (for the better) our behavior in traffic."
- "Traffic Psychology is knowing how to identify and modify our own
driving persona," is how
Danell Saito defines it to be.
What does it all mean?
These definitions show that Traffic Psychology is
important for any individual. First, there must be some kind of realization of
some kind of negative actions while driving. Then in order to make the
negative action positive, you must study the actions as a whole- -meaning the
cognitive, the affective and the sensorimotor parts. After the reason for the
negative action is determined, then the next step would be attempting to
change or modify the behavior. This behavior does not only work for driving,
but in any activity that requires that you share space. Examples of this
include bicycling, and walking as well.
Do I need Traffic Psychology?
I believe that Traffic Psychology is needed especially for me. You guys
HAVE to hear about me...I am horrible!
Where do I even begin? First, I have to say that my temper is
outrageous. If even the slightest thing goes wrong, I lose it. I start
swearing and getting mad. One day, I was following this really slow green
jeep. I was so upset, but could not do anything about it because the road
that we were on was a one lane both way street. Both of us were on our
way to the freeway ramp. Anyway, we got onto the freeway and every lane I
cut into to get all the way into the left lane, that one grren jeep cut me
off. So here we were both of us in the left lane. I was still behind
him!!! By that time, we had hit traffic already. So that green jeep kept
on going slow--about 45 mph. I was already upset about him going slow and
cutting me off that I was laughing. No, that's NOT it...that green jeep
did another funny. As soon as the traffic cleared up, I got in the right
lane to try to pass that jeep. I was going all the way up to 65 mph. Get
this...he also had begun speeding and was keeping up with me!!! That was
it! To top it all off, after I slowed down in defeat, that jeep slowed
down as well. Hmph! I just
sulked all the way home cussing and swearing till I was blue in the face.
After that I let it ruin my entire day. Ho-hum!
Now are you convinced that I am in the right class?? I definitely think
I am!!!
