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Nancy Aki considers a driving personality make-over to be a 3 step process: 1) Recognize Problem 2) analyze internal and external factors that are experienced while driving and 3) alter driving behavior.
Curtis Nakao hoped to modify his behavior in order to make himself into a more competent and aware driver, thus minimizing the margin of error
Adele Kimura believes that a driving personality make-over is fairly straight forward: understand the kind of driver you are and understand the problem behaviors.
I think that everyone agrees on the first step necessary for a driving personality make-over: recognizing the fact that there is a problem (s). Actually making the changes is easier said than done. If it was as easy as understanding and changing our ways, the next time we get behind the wheel of a vehicle, we would not have the number of accidents that occur daily.
I believe that once psychological concept which applies to driving personality make over is operate conditioning. If our new behaviors which we strive for are not reinforced, we will usually cease performing the behavior. For example, let's say I decided to make sure that I never drove over the posted speed limit. That is a good place to start-always obey the law. But, if while I am being a law abiding citizen, I am constantly being harassed by other drivers (e.g. being tailgated, flipped off, yelled at by furious drivers rushing around me, etc.) I would probably think twice about my decision and speed up. So as much as we want to change, we are often influenced by our environment and revert back to our old ways. If, however, our actions are somehow reinforced, the behaviors will become permanent.
Another concept which may apply to how a driving personality make-over can create change is self-actualization. We all need to strive to grow and improve ourselves. Driving is a large part of many peoples lives. If we are unhappy when we drive (which many of us are, even though we don't like to admit it), then a portion of each of our days is spent wasting energy on unproductive and unhealthy behaviors. It is much smarter to attempt to make our lives easier, which requires some analyzing and modification of behavior.
Changing a driving behavior is not an overnight miracle. According to Dr. James, it takes a lifetime of work. But just, because the changes occur over many years, does not mean they are not worth the time and effort.
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