Lab Report1aI found the topic on convoys, discussed in class was interesting, because people do tend to conform to the way others around them are driving. It never really crossed my mind that I, was also one of those persons who drove in the convoys (usually in the far left lane). I figured that people do not realize the potential danger and problems that could result from driving in convoys, until they themselves have experienced or been affected by the negative result, such as an accident. But there are always two sides to a story. Therefore, convoys do serve as a sense of belonging and reassurance to a beginner driver, or a visitor to the island. Also, driving in a convoy is easily recognized onthe road, serving as a signal to those slow drivers or anti-convoy drivers to stay out of the way. Another topic I found to be interesting was, how social expectations influence our driving, so much to the point that we don't realize it. I think that we have embedded thoughts in our mind, on how to drive and what is right and wrong about driving. Society accepts aggressiveness as a good trait. Which in turn usually associates anything with aggressiveness as good, for example aggressive driving. Aggressiveness also is associated with control and power. In relation to traffic, people like to feel that they are in control of their car and drive like it, creating a sense of power for their ego. One thing bad about this is, most of the times, reckless drivers do not get punished for their irresponsible driving. People must realize that driving is something that should be done ina collective manner, because we are putting the lives of others in jeopardy, when we choose to dive carelessly. Lastly, conformity, self-fulfilling prophecy, and driving personality make over, should make myself as well as others realize the bad habits we have as drivers. I think that the only "real" conformed drivers are those who learned the hard way, for example a being involved in a terrible traffic accident. Others tend to have little or no incentive or motivation to change because we have not experienced the negative consequences first hand. Interestingly, although we try to conform our driving it, it is very difficult to do so. We all are victims of societal influence and expectations. Therefore, through our driving style the effects are seen. I was kind of surprised, that no one really mentioned how a person's mood could have such an affect on the way a person drives. Depending on my mood, response to a situation varies. For example, when I am in a good mood, and an old person cuts in front of me, I tend to brush it off, justifying to myself that old people's reflexes are slower. But when I am in a bad mood, my response to the same situation would be "Get that old lady off of the road, she is such a dangerous driver, and her license should be taken away".
Lab Report 1a Discuss
Notes
From the lecture I also found that taking the time out to look at your own driving as well as those of others, is a very good approach at trying to conform people to be better drivers. What better way for people to see thheir own faults or bad habits in driving. I also think that talking about convoyout convoys and tailgating, made most of us really think about whether we do it or noThis traffic psychology class would make drive4rs objective and will help decrease the number of deaths, injuries and accidents involving automobiles. Also perhaps, because driving does / reflect a persons character, we might be able to show a better own after a driving make over. Some people drive the way they do to show power and control, but by taking a psychological perspective of traffic could perhaps, help individuals treat others as equals. It does take the effort of everyone to make driving safe and worthwhile.
Wow
After hearing about cyberspace and the internet in class, I was just completely blown away. Who would of thought that we would be able to do and get so much information out of your own hom. Can you just imagine what the next years would bring in computer technology?!It uiIt is addicting, but what kind of social life would that bring people, if they could just stay at home all day and talk to people through the computer, you wouldn't really have any human conthuman contact. Iddicting, I just wish that my parents got a chance experience using computers to this extent.
Spooked
I guess when I Dr. James started talking ae-mail, cursor, prompts, etc, I kind of got spooked. I was concerned about, accidently deleting and losing things in the computer and not knowing how to do anythingm because it is so complexed. I am a novice, and I am willing to learn, but I guess, didn't expect to have to learn how to utilize the computer to this much of a degree so fast, and be graded on it. I wasn't prepared for the pressuBut I guess it is a challenge, and would onoly benefit me in the future, and thus in future, computers will be l be largely incorporated in our lives, and it isomething that we would have to learn eventually, So I wthink of this class as a stepping stone to get ahead of the crowd>