Territorial Markings as a Predictor of Driver Aggression and Road Rage

Aggressive driving has received substantial media coverage during the past decade. This research reports on 3 studies testing a territorial explanation of aggressive driving. Altman (1975) described attachment to, personalization of, and defense of primary territories (e.g., home) as being greater than for public territories (e.g., sunbathing spot on a beach). Aggressive driving may occur when social norms for defending a primary territory (i.e., one's automobile) become confused with less aggressive norms for defending a public territory (i.e., the road). Both number of territory markers (e.g., bumper stickers, decals) and attachment to the vehicle were significant predictors of aggressive driving. Mere presence of a territory marker predicts increased use of the vehicle to express anger and decreased use of adaptive/constructive expressions.

Availability: Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00219029

Authors: Szlemko, William J Benfield, Jacob A Bell, Paul A Deffenbacher, Jerry L Troup, Lucy

Publication Date: 2008-6

Language

English

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Media Type: Print

Print Features: References;

References; Pagination: pp 1664-1688

pp 1664-1688 Serial: Journal of Applied Social Psychology Volume: 38 Issue Number: 6 Publisher: Blackwell Publishers ISSN: 0021-9029



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