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Angry drivers: a test of state-trait theory
Jerry L Deffenbacher1, Tracy L Richards, Linda B Filetti
1Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1876, USA. jld6871@lamar.colostate.edu
Violence and Victims
|October 28, 2005
Summary
Drivers with high trait anger experience more frequent and intense anger, leading to aggressive behaviors and risky driving. This study supports state-trait theory in understanding driving anger and its consequences.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Traffic Safety
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- State-trait theory provides a framework for understanding personality traits and their influence on emotional states.
- Driving anger is a significant factor in road safety, often linked to aggressive driving behaviors.
- Previous research indicates a correlation between anger and driving, but a comprehensive understanding of trait anger's impact is still developing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test hypotheses derived from state-trait theory regarding anger experienced while driving.
- To compare college student drivers with high trait driving anger against those with low trait driving anger.
- To investigate the relationship between trait driving anger and the frequency, intensity, and expression of anger, as well as aggressive and risky behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized driving diaries and surveys to collect data from college student drivers.
- Compared participants categorized as high or low in trait driving anger.
- Assessed anger frequency, intensity, expression, adaptive coping, aggression, risky behavior, and crash-related outcomes.
Main Results:
- High trait anger drivers reported more frequent and intense anger during driving.
- These drivers exhibited more aggressive behaviors, including verbal, physical, and vehicular expressions of anger.
- High anger drivers engaged in riskier behavior and showed less adaptive anger expression, with partial support for increased crash-related outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Results strongly support the application of state-trait theory to understanding driving anger.
- High trait anger drivers possess psychological and behavioral characteristics that exacerbate anger during driving.
- Findings highlight the need to address trait anger as a factor in road safety interventions.
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