Ronel Agarpao's Online Generational Curriculum in Traffic Psychology: A Driving Personality Makeover

Report 1:
Studying the Online Generational Curriculum
in Traffic Psychology
My Impressions of a Driving Personality Makeover

Table of Contents
A Driving Personality Makeover A Makeover for Everyone It Should Be Done A Driving Personality Makeover Attempt Steps to Follow Related Concepts from Psychology Enough Information is Needed Resistance to a Makeover Online Experience Impressions of the Generational Curriculum Online: A New Approach to Learning In the Future An Advice to Dr. James

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A Driving Personality Makeover

At first, I thought a driving personality was an outstanding personality that was unique to a particular person. As I was going through the generational student reports on traffic psychology, I was able to grasp the concept of a driving personality . It is all about the behavior or personality of person while driving a motor vehicle, such as, an automobile or a motorcycle. After reading Aaron Reisner's(G1) report, I then realized that a driving personality makeover is an attempt to modify one's driving personality in order to become a better driver. Thus, modifying the driver's behavior from a negative to a positive personality.(Check out Kendall Matsu's(G1) report for a more indepth definition of a driving personality makeover). For example, according to Michelle Malonzo(G3), when she drives, a whole new personality overcomes her. She becomes another person, and says that, it is like an evil personality that arises, filled with rage. Then, she realized that she had to overcome this rage because it might cause disastrous effects on others(passengers, pedestrian, and other drivers). For this reason, she decided to have a driving personality makeover.(See Jason Nakasato's(G2) impressive example of a driving personality makeover plan).

I was able to find out many things about the concept of a driving personality makeover among the generational student reports on traffic psychology. All of the reports I've read, mentioned that they needed to change their driving behavior. They did not realize until then that they had a negative driving behavior. Once they realized that their behavior changes while driving, they wanted to attempt a change in their behavior. So, they implemented a driving personality makeover. This makeover is not as easy as it sounds. Most of them had the most difficult time adjusting to a better and a more positive behavior of driving. They say that it takes time and patience. Each took different steps to ridding of adverse driving behaviors. They used techniques, such as, self-talking to listening to the radio, and singing a song to help modify their driving behavior.

I understand that the driving personality makeover is an attempt to modify one's bad driving behavior to a better one. This negative driving behavior is almost like a beast within that becomes awaken while behind the wheel of a vehicle.

According to the generational student reports on traffic psychology, many students have indicated that they decided to have a driving personality makeover because, through their observations, they were surprised of the way they behaved when driving. They found that there was a lot of negativity that had taken place. They were motivated by this outcome, and decided that a change must take to place and modify this negativity when driving. This need for change proved to be a strong motivational force for them that they took tremendous steps modifying one's driving behavior. I believe this driving personality makeover is for those who disobeys the traffic laws(speeding, not stopping at a stop sign, or going through a red light), who swears at other drivers, who use obscene gesture(usually expressing their middle finger), and who are easily irritable while driving. One must recognize these adverse driving behavior and must be motivated to modify it. A driving personality makeover is needed to enhance an individual's driving behavior into a more positive one. However, some people do not realize the change in personality when driving, so they think that there is nothing wrong with the way they drive, thus feeling content with their driving behavior. For example, Michelle Malonzo(G3) mentioned that she did not realize how barbaric she is when she drives. This realization motivated her to intervene and modify her behavior for the best.

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: Do you yield when a blind pedestrian is crossing the road?
A: What for? He can't see my license plate.

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A Makeover for Everyone

Most of the people in this world believes that their driving behavior is acceptable. But I think that a driving personality makeover is necessary for everyone. The realization, that no one is a perfect driver, gives the people an added push to better themselves as a driver. This is supported by Christine Huisman's(G3) report, that on the road, a person is already at risk, meaning that other people are not perfect drivers as well.

As Diane Beauchemin(G1) stated, if all people were "good drivers," then we wouldn't need traffic psychology, now would we.

According to Tina Suehisa(G3), resistance to change affects realization of the adverse behavior and is an obstacle in the modification process of a driving personality makeover. Once we realize that there is something adverse in our behavior, then the step to a makeover may begin. I agree that most of us will have difficulty adjusting the usual behavior we are accustomed to everyday, but the difference is that the person must be committed to making this effort to change. In the reports I've read, there are expected difficulties in the process of altering one's driving behavior. It will take some time and patience to overcome it. Michelle Malonzo's report(G3), agrees with this notion.

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: Who has the right of way when four cars approach a four-way stop at the same time?
A: The pick up truck with the gun rack and the bumper sticker saying, "Guns don't kill people. Ido."

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It Should Be Done

I agree that it should be done because I think everyone must move in the direction toward positive change especially with regards to driving. Operating a vehicle in a negative state would increase the probability of an undesirable, unfortunate event, such as, an accident, death, and the like. For instance, when continually driving the same way over time, negative attitudes would arise because this might make the driver irritable and agitated, thus producing an added negativity in the driver's behavior.

I feel that driving personality makeovers are for people who want to change their driving behavior. Like Anthony Chung(G3a), said, a driving personality makeover can be used by everyone only if they are willing to apply it into their daily lives.

From the generational curriculum reports that I read, I found that many students have negative aspects in their driving personality. Indeed, I too have a need to a driving personality makeover because I have a sudden change in behavior when driving. I would consider having such a makeover because I want to change my attitude and behavior behind the wheel. After reading the reports, I realized that I have acted similarly when I drive. I drive recklessly and cuss occasionally when other driver's get to me(an example, is when other drivers cut suddenly in front of me, or when someone is tailgating me from behind, or when other drivers drive below the speed limit at times when I'm rushing to an appointment).

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: When driving through fog, what should you use?
A: Your car.

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A Driving Personality Makeover Attempt

In order to attempt a driving personality makeover, one must first realize that there is problem with their driving behavior. This is supported by Phuong Wataoka(G3a) when she said that, the first thing you need to do is to be aware of what part of your driving personality that needs to be corrected. I think that this is the first thing that must be achieved in order to pursue a makeover. If this is not acquired, then there is no use for a makeover because the individual would not be able to recognize the need for change. According to Mike Balisaca(G3), one must first examine his or her driving persona and examine his or her observations in order to create a plan for the modification of one's driving personality.

I believe that there must be a motivational force to pursue such a makeover(for example, to better oneself, less swearing, or practice obeying the traffic laws). For example, Todd Crawford(G1) realized that he needed to improve his driving personality, thus, motivated to implement a makeover for himself. Once the motivation is established, then steps for a plan are ensued. Some of the techniques, the previous generational students resorted to, are very helpful and quite different from person to person. For example, according to Mike Balisaca(G3), through his observations he noticed that he easily gets angry in the road and expresses it by the middle finger gesture. He managed to overcome this by positive self-talking(saying to himself that the other driver is not to be blamed, it is not the other driver's fault) and just try to smile when such a situation occurs. Another problem he had was that he was always speeding. He overcame this by planning ahead(time management), and realized that speeding is such a stupid thing because it increases the endangerment of other people. And the final problem he had was that of signaling. He gets angered by others who do not signal, but he does not signal himself as well. He overcame this problem by realizing that he was a hypocrite, and realizing the uselessness of being angered and frustrated. To sum it up, he started to develop a positive attitude when on the road, and he acquired the love to facilitate the modified new person within.

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: What problems would you face if you were arrested for drunk driving?
A: I'd probably lose my buzz a lot faster.

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Steps to Follow

According to the reports I've read regarding a driving personality makeover plan, the first and most foremost step is the realization of an adverse driving behavior. In addition, motivation is needed to change the deviant behavior in an attempt to become a better driver as well as a better person. An example, is Dorys H. Penton's makeover plan(G3). She realized that while driving, she curses and calls other drivers names. This behavior was so unsettling for her that she wanted to modify this part of her driving personality. Her first plan of attack was to observe her driving behavior and take notes if necessary(but instead she used a tape recorder). Next, she tried to stop those negative behaviors(cussing and calling other drivers names) by having a more positive attitude and saying to herself positive things like, "They have the right to drive. They are not doing anything wrong." This is what is called self-talk. She included that if this positive talk does not help her, she would try to listen to music as a means to avoid the negative emotions and thoughts(For another example of a driving personality makeover plan, check out Michelle Malonzo's makeover plan(G3)).

Techniques such as self-talking and modifying thoughts are good methods for a driving personality makeover. From the given example above, it works well, but takes time to adjust. The change does not happen over night, but gradually over time. Other methods, such as, Bryan Yucoco's(G2) "imagery therapy," Sheldon Tawata's(G2) "listening to music," and Sharla Supnet's(G2) "thinking positive," are as effective as well. The method one chooses may not be the same as other people's techniques. One must find a technique that is suitable, so that it will work for the person.

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: What changes would occur in your lifestyle if you could no longer drive lawfully?
A: I would be forced to drive unlawfully.

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Related Concepts from Psychology

Some concepts from other psychology courses would apply to a driving personality makeover. Concepts such as Piaget's moral development, Bandura's cognitive learning theory(learn by modeling), and Behaviorist's conditioning theories(such as, Pavlov's classical conditioning, Skinner's operant or instrumental conditioning).

In moral development, understanding rules and social conventions is important in any society, so this led Piaget to be interested in how people come to understand such rules. This concept applies to the makeover because we must be able to understand ourselves. Moral rules are predetermined and permanent aspects of the world. For example, one of the deviant driving behavior that was mentioned was speeding. If we realized that speeding is against the law and has a possibility of severe negative consequences, then we all would obey the law by not speeding and going over the speed limit. Those who are speeding would have to try to learn that it is not morally good and should attempt for a change.

Bandura's cognitive learning theory conceptualized that we learn through modeling. This is probably one of the reasons for our unacceptable driving behavior. For example, we probably learn to cuss or even call names by the adults around us, especially our parents. Since childhood, we grew up observing the adults doing the negative driving behaviors. As adults, we too are succumbed to such deviant behaviors. This also applies to the makeover because if we learn by watching others do these kinds of negative behaviors, we can also learn to observe others to do positive behaviors as well. Once we are accustomed to observing these positive driving behaviors, we eventually will incorporate these positive driving behaviors into our lives.(See Dorys H. Penton's report(G3) for more information)

In the Behaviorists approach, certain environmental stimuli causes a certain behavior to occur within the individual. So when that behavior is reinforced(the process of reinforcement), then that certain behavior has a high probability of occurring. However, when that same behavior goes through a process of punishment, then that behavior has a lower probability occurring, or may not occur at all(this is called extinction). For example, when speeding on the road because of being late for an appointment or other reasons, we usually reach our destination or reach our appointment on time. The behavior is speeding, and the reinforcer is reaching the destination on time. This is probably the reason why people are speeding on the streets(rushing to their appointments, reinforced by the satisfaction of reaching the destination). For example, when you are late for a romantic date, the reinforcement is spending time with your date(your loved one). Another example, is when your are late for class, you tend to have a lower grade for the course, so the reinforcement here is that if you get to class on time the higher the probability that you will get a higher grade. This applies to the driving personality makeover plan because through reinforcement and punishment one can reduce the undesired driving behavior. For example, the problem is swearing or cussing. To solve this problem, you could reinforce yourself by treating yourself to an ice cream sundae when ever you prevent your self from swearing. Once this has been achieved many times, the swearing may not take place as often as it did or may never behave in such a manner again.

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: What are some points to remember when passing or being passed?
A: Make eye contact and wave "hello" if he/she is cute.

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Enough Information is Needed

I think that I got enough information to feel confident that I can do my own driving personality makeover plan and succeed. After having read the reports about makeovers, I understand the steps necessary to implement and execute a personality makeover plan. I admit that I need a driving personality makeover plan because I've observed that I too have undesirable driving behaviors similar to those discussed above. There are various steps mentioned in the reports that suits each individual, so I plan to implement one that would be uniquely designed for me. In the process of a driving personality makeover attempt, it would be natural for one to show a resistance to change. I would probably show a resistance to change because it would be difficult having a different attitude and behavior while driving when I am accustomed for many years to my usual driving. Probably others would react the same way because changing from a usual driving routine to a new one would be so difficult to do. The difference here is whether or not the person has the motivation or the driving need for change. If there is motivation, then there would be little resistance. But, there would be more resistance if no motivation were present at all.

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: What is the difference between a flashing red traffic light and a flashing yellow traffic light?
A: The color.

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Resistance to a Makeover

I would expect people to show resistance to a driving personality makeover attempt because changing from a usual driving routine to a new one would be so difficult to do. Letitia Lujan's(G2) and Jae Isa's(G1) reports mentioned the difficulties they faced in attempting a makeover. As Rudolf Dolfo(G3a) said, it is natural to become angry and frustrated in attempting a driving personality makeover. And according to Grant Muranaka(G3a), another reason why individuals may still show resistance to a driving personality makeover is because they feel that their actions do not seriously affect those around them.(For more information on resistance to change, checkout Christine Huisman's report(G3),Michelle Malonzo's report(G3), and Tina Suehisa's report(G3)).

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: What can you do to help ease a heavy traffic problem?
A: Carry loaded weapons.

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Online Experience

When I registered for this course, I expected that their would be a lot of reading and writing because it is a writing intensive course. However, it was not what I expected. Instead, the psychology course involves using computers and going online, and there is a lot more typing than writing. During the next couple of days of school, I so nervous because I hardly knew anything about computers(in other words, I am computer illiterate). Eventually, I went online and used Netscape to browse the web. Luckily, I was able to get the hang of it. I was overwhelmed with all the information and web sites that could be seen on the computer. It is so amazing; I thought to myself, "what will they think of next?" The experience of browsing through the web is very exciting. Now, I continually browse through the web often, but I hope I'm not a "web-a-holic" because it can be addicting. I am probably in the first stages of addiction.

By going online, I was able read other people's reports(generational curriculum in traffic psychology). I found a lot of information, and I also found out that their first time experience with going online was similar to my own.

Going online is a great way of learning, but only if you have access to a computer with the necessary software and modem hooked on. It is indeed a good source of learning traffic psychology. There were many information about traffic psychology by previous students. However, in comparison with a regular psychology source there are positive and negative sides by going online. The positive aspects of learning through online are: there are lot of information on the web, and you do not have to go to the library and search for a book and get information about the subject and face the disappointment that the sources are not available or checked out(major disappointment). All of this(physically researching at the the library) can be done on a computer at a single area. The negative aspects of learning through online are: you may be computer illiterate(and do not know to use the computer efficiently), or do not have access to a computer, some prefer to have little class discussions about the issues in the course, and with so much information online one would be confused which sources to read or what to look for when reading. Since I have a computer at home and despite its negative aspects, I still enjoy going online whether it is for class or for pleasure. I feel privileged to be a part of the computer community and proud to experience of going online because now I do not feel inferior to those people who are computer literate(At least I learned something new, even though it is mostly about browsing through the web). But, I have sympathy for those who cannot go online or even those who choose not to because their missing a great thing, especially, when the world is already heading to a computer-world era.

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: How do you deal with heavy traffic?
A: Heavy psychedelics.

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Impressions of the Generational Curriculum

For those people who have little or a lot of experience or a lot with computers, should try to go online. The future generations should be able to know the basics before they register for this type of course. This would make the course a lot easier to learn. I was very surprised to see that there are a lot of information from the Generational Curriculum. I never knew such a thing existed. Now, I can view information from a computer, and I do not have to go to the library to do research. It's that easy.

This method of learning is very interesting and exciting, but at the same time, difficult and frustrating. I guess in the beginning it seems very hard, but as you continue to go online it gets easy and fun. I enjoy learning online a lot. Through the web, I have all the information I need within my fingertips. However, there is a down side to this, not all people know how to use and have access to a computer. But if one has a computer, it is beneficial to that individual. Despite its negative aspects, I think it is a very good way of learning because you are learning two things. One thing you learn is the information(which you would find in a book) you need to do the assignment; and second, you learn how to use a computer(the first step to becoming a computer literate individual).

Subject: Drunk Drivers' Exam Answers
Q: How can you reduce the possibility of having an accident?
A: Be too stupid to find your keys.

See Marian's Internet Joke File for more.

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Online: A New Approach to Learning

This type of learning, going online, is an excellent alternative approach to education. As Cherish Higashi(G3a) stated that learning on the internet is much more exciting than attending lectures or reading textbooks. I think that this approach would be beneficial to high school students because having an early experience with going online would better prepare students for college and for the future world of computers. I think the experience of going online should not only be taught in high school but also at the elementary schools as well. These programs are great for them in better preparing for the future computer world. I know that they have implemented programs in school to teach youngsters about computers, but I think that the school system should not be over-emphasizing a lot on learning on computers because the children would be hooked on them and they would be missing out on their childhood social aspects of their lives. I am not saying that computer learning should not be a part of the school system, but I am just saying that there is more to life than computers.

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In the Future

In the future, with continued expansion, the generational curriculum would be so large and abundant with information. There would be more web sites and many more different sources of information. A lot of people would be going online and accessing the information they need. These information would benefit future as well as present users.

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An Advice to Dr. James

During the first couple of days, I did not know what was expected of me. I was confused to what we had to do. Some of the instructions were vague. But, this state of "not-knowing" was effective in motivating me to seek information I needed and helped me start on the assignments I needed to do. The only advice I can give you is that prior to registering to your course, you should inform the students that they should have acquired a uhnix account beforehand, so there would not be a delay for the CSS account. Other than this, you are doing a great job in helping us out with our assignments and with the computers. Keep up the good work!