A study conducted by Temple University Fox School of Business finds those who view their car as an extension of themselves have stronger aggressive driving tendencies – personality, attitude and values all contribute to aggressive driving behaviors.
The researchers found:
– People who perceive their car as a reflection of their self-identity are more likely to behave aggressively on the road and break the law.
– People with compulsive tendencies are more likely to drive aggressively with disregard for potential consequences.
– Increased materialism, or the importance of one’s possessions, is linked to increased aggressive driving tendencies.
– Young people who are in the early stages of forming their self-identity might feel the need to show off their car and driving skills more than others. They may also be overconfident and underestimate the risks involved in reckless driving.
– Those who admit to aggressive driving also admit to engaging in more incidents of breaking the law.
– A sense of being under time and pressure leads to more aggressive driving.
Study: Ayalla A. Ruvio, Aviv Shoham. Aggressive driving: A consumption experience. Psychology and Marketing, 2011; 28 (11): 1089 DOI: 10.1002/mar.20429