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Driving anger and its relationships with type A behavior patterns and trait anger: Differences between professional
Zhongxiang Feng1, Miaomiao Yang1, Changxi Ma2
1School of Automobile and Traffic Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, PR China.
Plos One
|December 19, 2017
Summary
Non-professional drivers experience more anger while driving than professionals, especially due to traffic and discourtesy. Type A personality and trait anger significantly influence driving anger in both groups, suggesting targeted interventions are needed.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Transportation Studies
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Driving anger is a significant issue affecting driver behavior and road safety.
- Understanding the factors contributing to driving anger is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Differences in driving anger between professional and non-professional drivers, influenced by personality traits, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine situational triggers of anger in Chinese professional and non-professional drivers.
- To compare driving-elicited anger levels between these two driver groups.
- To investigate the influence of Type A behavior pattern and trait anger on driving anger.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 232 Chinese drivers (57% professional, 43% non-professional) was assessed.
- The 20-item revised Driving Anger Scale (DAS) was employed to measure driving anger.
- Statistical analyses examined differences between groups and correlations with personality traits.
Main Results:
- Non-professional drivers reported significantly higher overall driving anger and anger related to traffic obstructions and discourtesy.
- Higher preferred driving speeds correlated positively with driving anger in both groups.
- Type A personality was associated with higher driving anger, particularly concerning traffic obstructions and slow driving.
- Trait anger was significantly related to driving anger across both driver groups.
- In non-professional drivers, Type A behavior patterns (TABPs) and time hurry (TH) correlated with anger from slow driving.
- In professional drivers, TABPs, TH, and competitive hostility (CH) related to driving anger, with TABPs indirectly influencing anger via trait anger.
Conclusions:
- Non-professional drivers are more susceptible to driving anger triggers like traffic and discourtesy.
- Personality factors, including Type A behavior and trait anger, play a crucial role in driving anger.
- Findings support the need for tailored interventions to manage driving anger in diverse driver populations.
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