I had the honor and pleasure of speaking to 250 members of the Dayton Miami Valley Safety Council on the topic of Road Rage. An outline of the training content…
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ROAD RAGE
Dennis E. O’Grady, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist
1. HEALTHY VS. UNHEALTHY ANGER
Is anger an emotion or behavior, or both?
2. THE ANGER SPECTRUM
Irritation…aggravation…frustration…ANGER…rage.
3. HOW DO YOU DEFINE RAGE?
rage n
1. sudden and extreme anger, or an outburst of strong anger
2. something that is the object of a short-lived fascination
3. extreme or unrelenting intensity
4. a strong and sometimes overpowering desire or enthusiasm
5. to speak or do something with sudden, extreme anger, or feel such strong anger
2. to occur, continue, move, or spread with great force and violence
Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999
4. PSYCHOLOGY OF CHANGE DEFINITION—REACTING IN A KNEE-JERK FASHION WITHOUT EMPATHY
“Road rage” is a slick and tricky mental magic act and a racy misnomer. It’s more accurate to call it “human rage,” since it’s unhealthy anger directed at human beings, not roads made of concrete or asphalt.
Anger management coaching typically produces positive changes within 2-3 sessions.
5. WHAT IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF THE AGGRESSIVE DRIVER WHO IS DRIVEN TO GET AHEAD AT ANY COST?
• Massive personal insecurity…winning is everything
• Feeling like a failure…can’t tolerate getting behind in the race of life
• Prideful ego: “Are you going to let them get away with that?”
• Self-defeating belief that venting anger is always good
• Difficulty relaxing
• Doesn’t enjoy the ride enough…focuses on final outcome/destination
• Fear of emotions: Prefers putting mind over emotional matters
• Fault-shifting: Plays the “It’s not my fault!” blame and shame show
• Drags along old suitcases filled with rusty resentments
• “Reactive anger” is triggered by sad feelings, disappointment, and loss
• Prone to fear disapproval: “You’re not good enough unless you’re accomplishing the perfect!”
• When hot under the collar, thinks the golden rule is for chumps
• Fails to remember: “Trying too hard to get even will distract you and quickly put you behind!”
6. WHO’S IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF YOUR LIFE?
Your communicator type of Empathizer or Instigator communicator often predicts how well you will drive in the TALK2ME© positive and effective communication system. To find out your type and receive a free report, check out… http://www.drogrady.com/type.php
7. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• Manage your mood
• Be in the driver’s seat of your life
• Learn how Empathizer drivers drive differently from Instigator drivers
• Use positive self-talk to keep you “on purpose”
• Imagine a loved one in the seat of the other metal can
• Distract yourself with comedy stations or a self-growth CD
• Patience is a virtue, while impatience is a vulture
• Remember: anger is simply an emotion, NOT a stupid knee-jerk reaction
TALK TIPS TO USE FOR COMMUNICATING SAFETY…
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For a good overview of Road Rage go to this Wikipedia link.
About the Speaker
Dennis O’Grady delivers TALK2ME© effective communication workshops that provide a Communication Toolbox full of positive communication tools, to executive, managerial, and supervisory groups, to set people up for success. He also uses the TALK2ME system with his private, relationship communications-training clients. Dr. O’Grady is known as the “Talk Doc” since the advent of his positive and effective communication system, TALK2ME. He is past president of the Dayton Psychological Association, founder of New Insights Communication, and is a clinical professor at the Wright State University School of Professional Psychology. His talk textbook, TALK TO ME: Communication Moves to Get Along With Anyone, received the 2008 Axiom Business Book Award Silver Medal. Please feel free to contact New Insights Communication at 937.428-0724 to set up a time to speak with Dr. O’Grady. Your questions and inquiries are welcomed.