1 / 14

The Impact of Music on Traffic Stress

This study examines the effects of music on driver stress levels during different congestion levels. Results show that listening to music can effectively reduce stress, especially in high congestion situations. Implications for encouraging music in traffic and providing music for employees are discussed.

kevinalbert
Download Presentation

The Impact of Music on Traffic Stress

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Impact of Music on Traffic Stress Dwight Hennessy Buffalo State College

  2. DRIVER STRESS • Stress = interpretation of events (Lazarus, 1966) • Negative evaluations = greater stress

  3. DRIVER STRESS • Driving is common “stressful” event • Related to conditions

  4. MUSIC • Music therapy reduces stress (Stratton, 1985) • Relaxation effects (Stratton & Zalanowski, 1984) • reduces tension, arousal, anxiety • reduced HR, BP, immune responses • Distraction effects (Thomas, 2000) • limited attention resource • attention to music limits attention to stressor

  5. MUSIC • Key is self selected music (Wiesenthal, 2003) • greater perceptions of control • But, most research in medical setting • Little comparison of “degrees” of stressor

  6. PURPOSE • Examine state driver stress as it happens • Contrast levels of trait susceptibility • Compare across levels of stressor PREDICTIONS • Music X Congestion Level • State driver stress will be reduced by listening to music, but predominantly in high congestion

  7. METHOD • Select regular commuters from Buffalo State College students, staff, & employees • Minimum 3 years driving experience • Would measure “trait stress” • Driving Behavior Inventory

  8. METHOD • Would measure stress while driving • Modified DBI, with Mood Adjectives • cellular telephones • hands free, speed dial, participant initiated

  9. METHOD • During one trip: • Low Congestion vs. High Congestion • pick prior to trip • counterbalance • ½ morning, ½ evening • Music vs. No Music • randomly assign

  10. METHOD • Measure “STATE” driver stress • once at each target location • hang up between & continue driving

  11. RESULTS • Split Plot Factorial Analysis • congestion = within groups (H vs. L) • music = between groups (Music vs. No) • trait stress = between groups (median split) • Eta Square = strength of effect • Chronbach = reliability of stress measures

  12. Trait stress would lead to greater state stress • Music X Congestion interaction

  13. DISCUSSION • As predicted, listening to music will be an effective coping strategy while driving • However, would depend on the condition • high congestion is when it is needed • low congestion = low stress in general • Encourage music in traffic? • More music on radios? • Businesses provide music for employees?

  14. DISCUSSION • Also as expected, stress would depend on personality • trait would increase state responses • but, what other factors? • Need more conditions • Need more than one measurement • Non-driving events • How much before impedes driving? • Distraction or relaxation ?

More Related