Report 4:
PROCEDURE
1) Meet with subject and explain what I want to do and
about this experiment.
2) Observe the resistance of the subject and ask the subject
if there is any driving behavior which the subject would like to
change.
3) Have the subject take me for a short ride and make my
own observation along the way.
4) Find ways and show reasons to motivate the subject to change and
record any resistance of the subject.
5) Devise a methodology for the subject to record behavior in
traffic.
6) Have the subject keep a log of when the behavior occurs, what
the subject's reaction and what the subject does to correct the behavior in
traffic for two days.
7) Meet with the subject for the second time to update the status of the
subject and to record any resistance of the subject.
8) Record the progress on behavior modification and if necessary,
provide advice on how to modify the behavior of the subject.
9) Have the subject repeat Step 5.
10) Meet with the subject for the third and last time to repeat Step
6.
11) Have the subject explain what was and was not done to change the
behavior.
12) Observe any resistance of the subject.
13) Have the subject take me for a final short ride and record any
changes or improvement.
My Topical Index: Links to other
interesting sites
My web site: I can't stop being impatient
and seeing other cars as just inconvenient obstacles in my way
Contributions: Stories of traffic from
visitors
SUBJECT ONE
My first subject is a twenty-eight year old Chinese male from
Hong Kong. He is currently an electrical engineering student at University
of Hawaii at Manoa. His religious belief is Christianity. He's been
driving inconsistantly for two years.
FIRST MEETING 1
When I first speak to him about
this experiment, his immediate answer was that he doesn't have a
driving problem or behavior which he needs or wants to change or
improve. The reason is because he doesn't drive often enough. He
claims that if he does have a driving problem, it would only be due to his
lack of driving
opportunity and not because of him. He also believes that the behavior
or problem, if any, would go away once he drives more. He was laughing
and looked very surprised when he made the statements above.
The problem which I noticed in his driving
was his braking. When I told him about his problem on braking, he
blamed it on the driver in front of him for braking so suddenly which
caused him to slam on the brake. He was proud of himself for
being able to brake in time to prevent an accident. He was a bit
upset that I said that it is his problem. But the fact was the car in
front of him had stopped for awhile which he later admited it too. The
truth was that he thought that the car would go before he reached its
back, but the car in front of him didn't go, so he ended up slamming on
the brake and blamed it on the driver in the front car for not
moving.
I then told him that it is very dangerous to
assume, but he still insisted that if that driver in front of him moved
the car, he would not have to slam on the brake. He was breathing faster,
looked more upset and felt that he was being misunderstood by me. He
wanted to make sure that I know that it was not his fault, but it was
actually his problem to assume in situation like this.
In convincing Subject One that he needs
to realize his problem and needs to be modified,
I asked him who is in control of his car when he drives, who's the
one that presses the brake to stop the car. I also told him about
assuming other drivers' action is a very bad thing to do in traffic.
In his case, he assumed that the driver in front of him would go before
he reaches its back, so he didn't press the brake. In reality, that
driver might be day-dreaming or just didn't plan on going until he feels
safe enough. The definition of safety varies from person to person. For
example, driving at 60mph on a highway may be considered safe by Subject
One, but on the other hand, it may be seen as dangerous by
others.
Another big point
is that the driver in front of him might press on the brake again after
releasing it. If Subject One made the correct assumption about the
driver in front of him would go before he reaches its back of the car, but
that driver may suddenly brake again for some reason such as
feeling unsafe or scared. Subject One might then be unable to stop his
car in time to prevent an accident, because
Subject One didn't press on the brake to reduce his speed and
therefore braked suddenly.
A sign of reluctance appeared on Subject One's face,
but he still went along with the experiment. I realized that I have
failed to convince him successfully. I sensed a great deal of pride in
Subject One when I was providing reasons on why he should modify his
behavior. But as the experiment continued, Subject One began to see the
purpose of this driving personlity modification.
Report 1: My travel
through G1 & G2
Report 2: My
adapting to Internet
Report 3: My
driving personality makeover plan
LOG 1
Subject One used the
method of keeping journal after each traffic
trip. In his journal, the action of slamming the brake occured whenever
he assumed the car with red brake lights on, which sat in front of him,
will move before Subject One's car reaches the back of that car. To
eliminate this action, Subject One took the responsiblity of stopping his
car to himself instead of blaming it to the driver in front of him. This
took a lot of courage and mind for Subject One to realize
his responsibility. He stopped assuming and predicting what other drivers
will do and acted according to the actual traffic condition.
It was difficult for Subject One to admit
his responsibility of pressing the brake when he thinks his assumption is
correct. Due to pridefulness, it was even more difficult for Subject One
to admit that it's bad to assume other drivers' actions on the road and
that his assumption may be wrong. He was not humble enough to accept the
fact that he may be wrong and that his driving skills and driving
personality are not flawless. His pride was hurt when I told him about his
problem. In being willing to take the action to correct his own driving
problem whole-heartedly, Subject One first did some inner-self
modification. He first took away his pride and had to
accept that he is not perfect and does need improvement in many parts of
his life. He needs to become more sensitive to others and be less
self-centered.
RESULT 1
As a result, Subject One has become more responsible of his
actions and realized that he needs to be more humble and considerate to
other people. He didn't slam on the brake but still had a problem of
accepting other people's advice.
Generation One of Traffic
Psychology: Students of G1
Generation Two of Traffic
Psychology: Students of G2
Generation Three of Traffic
Psychology: Students of G3
SUBJECT TWO
My second subject is a twenty-five year old Chinese
female from Hong Kong. She has earned a master degree in Public Health
from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is currently searching for a
job in Oahu. Her religious belief is Christianity. She has four years of
driving experience.
FIRST MEETING 2
Subject Two was very open and very honest when I first
told her about this experiment. Her response was prompt and to the point.
Her two big problems in traffic are impatience and speeding.
Subject Two decided to work on the former problem. I
didn't have to tell Subject Two any reason to convince her to correct
her problem, because she has already wanted to do something about it and
knew why she needs to. She said that it is very dangerous and rude to
other people and to herself.
LOG 2
Subject Two used the method of keeping journal after each traffic
trip. Impatience occured when the weather is humid and her mood is bad,
late for appointment, and when other drivers jam into her lane. Her
reactions were slapping the wheel steering, getting upset with herself
and becoming sentimental, feeling more impatient, and talking to herself
such as saying things like "What's wrong?!".
The things which Subject Two thought of
doing in order to correct her problem were getting the car's air
condition fixed to cool down her temperature in humid days, driving
slower, practicing not to let her temper controls her and accepting the
cruel reality of bad traffic. Within these lists, Subject Two has
done all of them except the first one. I then advised Subject Two to have
a cold soda or water handy to keep her away from the humidity when she
drives, but she forgot to do so. In preventing of being late, I
advised Subject Two to leave the house or wherever she is at early.
If other drivers jam into the lane, just accept the fact that those
drivers have no manner, and there is no need and not worthy to get
upset and impatient over such kind of persons.
I think Subject Two needs to tune into her
inner self to feel comfortable about herself, because she seems so easily
affect by other people. She knew about her problems, but she didn't seem
to have enough determinaton and persistance to make much
corrections. It is good that Subject Two is sensitive about her
problems and is willing to cooperate with me in this driving
behavior modification. She admits that it is the most difficult to
control her temper, but she will continue to practice.
RESULT 2
In the final ride, Subject Two has shown a slight
improvement in controlling her feeling of impatience. She learned to
leave early to prevent being late, and to listen to desirable music
to keep her in a good and relaxed mood on humid days. I still think
that Subject Two needs to work on her determination and persistance
if she really wanted to correct her problem.
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