Another dependent variable is whether the gestures or expressions from the other driver are polite and accommodating or angry and defiant.
Experimental Design and Expected Outcome
The experimenter will identify an exit lane from a highway where one exit lane requires drivers to merge from multiple lanes. To reduce other variables, the experimenter will use the same exit on the same highway for all trials in the experiment. The experimenter will not merge until almost reaching the point where the exit lane actually branches off the main highway near the point where a painted "island" absolutely requires a merge. The experimenter will be holding a piece of paper in one hand and gesturing apologetically and in a shoulder shrug with raised hands so as to create the impression that he is unfamiliar with the area and did not mean to cut into the lane to be rude or to take advantage of the other driver. The experimenter will deliberately make eye contact with the other driver to indicate that he is asking for consideration. The experimenter will record any gestures or verbal expressions of the other driver and will note whether or not the driver has allowed him to enter the passing lane or deliberately moved forward to prevent him from doing so.
It is expected that male drivers will react angrily and will be less likely to permit the experimenter to merge into the exit lane in front of them. It is also expected that male drivers will gesture and/or express themselves in a way that indicates that they do not appreciate and will not tolerate the late attempt at merging into the lane. It is expected that female drivers will respond more considerately by not pulling forward and that they will make considerate gestures indicating that...
Finally, it is also expected that the female drivers will not indicate irritation and that if they express themselves verbally it will be to indicate that it is "ok" or "no problem" for the experimenter to merge as intended.
Research Review
The insurance industry generally recognizes that male drivers pose a greater risk to their investments than do female drivers, and charge higher rates accordingly. While their findings are generally based on proprietary actuarial data, there have also been a number of studies about the role that gender plays in driving habits. Lonczak, Neighbors and Donovan (2007) designed a study to "examine the putative risk factors of driving anger, traffic citations and traffic-related injuries as a function of gender." The authors studied the issue measuring a number of different contributing factors including "sensation seeking, stressful events, negative affect, tobacco use and drinking behavior." The exit ramp merge portion of my study (hypothesis #2) will be conducted during rush hour when the merge can be conducted at relatively low speeds, as a necessary safety requirement. This portion of the experiment will therefore be subject to the "stressful event" criteria that Lonczak et al. studied.
Their study found that while men "reported more traffic citations and injuries (they) did not differ from women in reported driving anger." This makes an interesting point about the study that I have designed. The Lonczak study was based on self-reported survey data, while I have designed an experiential study. The difference between anger and citations between genders hints that there might be perception difference
