Psychotechnology and insanity at the wheel

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Traffic Safety

Background:

• The Psychopathic Clinic of the Detroit Recorder's Court Traffic Court conducted psychological evaluations of automobile drivers between 1936 and 1965.
• Over 15,000 drivers were assessed, including those with traffic code violations or collision involvement.

Observation:

• A statistical analysis was performed on the collected data from these driver evaluations.
• The study examined the methodologies and outcomes of psychological assessments in the context of traffic law enforcement.

Findings:

• Psychologists and psychiatrists at the clinic perpetuated existing ethnic, racial, and gender stereotypes.
• These biases were evident in the assessments conducted under the guise of traffic safety.

Implications:

• The findings highlight the historical influence of societal biases on psychological evaluations within the legal system.
• Recommendations for sanctions, such as license revocation or commitment, were influenced by these reinforced stereotypes.
• This historical analysis provides critical insights into the evolution of forensic psychology and its intersection with social justice.