This paper describes two laboratory experiments that were set up to explore whether the principles behind the somatic marker hypothesis (SMH) can be applied to the realm of driver behaviour. Experiment 1 examined the Skin Conductance Response (SCR) of experienced and inexperienced drivers to three types of still images. These still images were of 'safe', 'hazardous' and 'developing hazard' situations. Subjective judgements of how hazardous the situation appeared to be were also collected. It is predicted that experienced and inexperienced drivers will not differ in their emotional response to safe and hazardous scenarios. However, if there is emotional learning via experience, then experienced drivers should be more likely to demonstrate an SCR to a picture portraying a potential hazard. A purely cognitive explanation would be that inexperienced drivers fail to appreciate the potential risk inherent in the depicted situation. If this were the case, then subjective ratings of danger should also show a difference by experience level. However, if the ratings of danger are similar, then this would support the idea of an emotional system that operates independently of a cognitive appraisal system. Experiment 2 builds on the results of experiment 1 and examines the SCRs of learner, inexperienced and experienced drivers to 12 Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Hazard Perception clips, similar to those used within the UK Hazard Perception Test. It is expected that there would be a difference between the driver groups SCR during the build-up to a hazardous situation, such that experienced drivers would be more likely to elicit an SCR. Both experiments have demonstrated a difference in the SCR rate to developing hazards between inexperienced and experienced drivers. Experiment 1 provided evidence that emotional appraisal of potentially hazardous situations is something that is separate from cognitive judgement of the scenarios. Experiment 2 demonstrated a learning curve in the emotional appraisal of developing hazards that is mediated by driver experience. For the covering abstract see ITRD E0903020.
Samenvatting