Bumper stickers linked to road rage
December 31st, 1969
It's not easy to drive through most cities without encountering at least one or two people at once dangerously oblivious of the traffic around them and yet hostile toward anyone that points it out, but a recent study by a scientist at Colorado State University in the U.S. may have found a way to spot them from a distance.
Equating bumper stickers with a warning label, the research of social psychologist William Szlemko indicates that people who apply the rearward-facing declarations to their cars are much more likely to use their cars to show rage on the road than people without such stickers, reports the Washington Post. The message of the bumper stickers themselves has no relevance to the result; peaceful messages of unity are just as much a warning sign as are offensive or hostile statements.
That is not to say that drivers without bumper stickers are rage-free behind the wheel, however. But they are less likely to use their car to show it to other road users, which means they are less likey to cause accidents as a result. Szlemko's psychological background leads him to conclude the reason for the sticker-related road rage is a fundamental human concept of territoriality.
Those more likely to personalize their cars with slogans are also more likely to engage in risky behavior because they are subconsciously protecting territory they believe is theirs - including the portion of road they are currently occupying.
It's not easy to drive through most cities without encountering at least one or two people at once dangerously oblivious of the traffic around them and yet hostile toward anyone that points it out, but a recent study by a scientist at Colorado State University in the U.S. may have found a way to spot them from a distance.
Equating bumper stickers with a warning label, the research of social psychologist William Szlemko indicates that people who apply the rearward-facing declarations to their cars are much more likely to use their cars to show rage on the road than people without such stickers, reports the Washington Post. The message of the bumper stickers themselves has no relevance to the result; peaceful messages of unity are just as much a warning sign as are offensive or hostile statements.
That is not to say that drivers without bumper stickers are rage-free behind the wheel, however. But they are less likely to use their car to show it to other road users, which means they are less likey to cause accidents as a result. Szlemko's psychological background leads him to conclude the reason for the sticker-related road rage is a fundamental human concept of territoriality.
Those more likely to personalize their cars with slogans are also more likely to engage in risky behavior because they are subconsciously protecting territory they believe is theirs - including the portion of road they are currently occupying.
Bumper stickers linked to road rage
June 18th, 2008
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June 18th, 2008
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June 18th, 2008
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Equating bumper stickers with a warning label, the research of social psychologist William Szlemko indicates that people who apply the rearward-facing declarations to their cars are much more likely to use their cars to show rage on the road than people without such stickers, reports the Washington Post. The message of the bumper stickers themselves has no relevance to the result; peaceful messages of unity are just as much a warning sign as are offensive or hostile statements.
That is not to say that drivers without bumper stickers are rage-free behind the wheel, however. But they are less likely to use their car to show it to other road users, which means they are less likey to cause accidents as a result. Szlemko's psychological background leads him to conclude the reason for the sticker-related road rage is a fundamental human concept of territoriality.
Those more likely to personalize their cars with slogans are also more likely to engage in risky behavior because they are subconsciously protecting territory they believe is theirs - including the portion of road they are currently occupying.
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Comments (6 total)
Meet the top commenters on the LeaderboardBy NoNameDenton #1, Posted: 6/18/2008
I dunno, I usually just roll my eyes and mutter the word morons under my breath.
By NCyder #2, Posted: 6/18/2008
I once read a study in which those who reply to online news items are ten times more likely to quote bad science statistics and ... ummm .... uhhhhh .....
... nevermind ...
By Gus #3, Posted: 6/18/2008
NoName: Exactly.
By Roy #4, Posted: 6/18/2008
I wonder if this will change the way insurance companies rate those vehicles, since a visual inspection is required in some (most?) states. I say, make them PAY!!! Whoops, I appear to be getting a little carried away again...
By SuperSkyline89 #5, Posted: 6/18/2008
Eh, those stickers look stupid anyways.
I usually say something like "What a dumbass" and honk the horn or something like that, besides that I just find a way around the idiot and get on with life.
By HECTOR #6, Posted: 6/19/2008
You took the thought right out of my mind Roy, specially considering insurance companies don't even need an excuse to jack up your rates. Let's hope they don't read this site.
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