Chapter 17-Social psychology and driving behavior

Question 1

The two key predictors of crashes

Answer 1

Human and behavioral factors

Question 2

3 behavioral factors to aberrant/abnormal driving behavior

Answer 2

1. Violations: Intentional violations of the traffic rules
2. Errors: Unintentional, stem from a failure
3. Lapses: Attention and memory fail

Question 3

2 attitudinal factors to aberrant driving behavior

Answer 3

1. Holding negative attitudes towards safe driving

2. One’s own perceived driving control

Question 4

What is trait aggression?

Answer 4

Relatively stable personality characteristics

Question 5

What is state aggression?

Answer 5

Induced by a certain environment

Question 6

Three bias for an unstable person driving

Answer 6

1. Unrealistic optimism- ‘‘It won’t happen to me’’
2. An illusion of control- ‘‘I can handle every situation on the road’’
3. Self-enhancement bias- Positive judgements about oneself

Question 7

What do risk models focus on?

Answer 7

Focus on how drivers subjective feeling of risk regulates their behavior.

Question 8

Risk homeostasis theory-Wilde

Answer 8

It all depends on the person’s individual target risk level. If the person is driving below the risk target, the person will more likely engage in a more risky behavior until the level is reached.
If the person is driving above the risk target, the person will refrain from the risk to get back to one’s own risk target level.

Question 9

Rask capability interference model

Answer 9

• Task demands: Complexity of the driving task

- A driver should be in control of a situation when task demands do not exceed their own capabilities.

Question 10

What is the goal with driver education?

Answer 10

Enhancing the knowledge of the driving environment and increasing driving skills.

Question 11

What are the positive things about doing research with driving simulators?

Answer 11

1. Have control over normally uncontrollable variables in traffic
2. Allow them to expose participants to dangerous road conditions without the risks
3. Participants can get feedback while driving

Question 12

Research in traffic psychology relies mostly on upon..?

Answer 12

self-reported measures

Question 13

Observational studies negative things (2 things)

Answer 13

More time consuming and cost more

Question 14

Which three factors influence your driving style?

Answer 14

1. Attitude
2. Values
3. Norms

Question 15

Which two traits from the big five are connected to a risky driving behaviour?

Answer 15

Extraversion: A higher need for arousal-speeding
Neuroticism: Aggressive driving

Question 16

Which gender and age group are most likely to engage in a risky driving behaviour?

Answer 16

Young males

Question 17

Which theory is predicting driving behaviour?

Answer 17

Theory of planned behaviour