Course: Traffic psychology 1

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Course title Traffic psychology 1
Course code PCH/DP1M
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Exercise
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Šucha Matúš, doc. PhDr. Ph.D.
  • Risser Ralf, prof. Dr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Theories, objectives, and methods a. Traffic system and mobility b. Modes of transport c. What is traffic and transport psychology? d. Key factors i. Safety (objective and subjective) ii. Quality of life iii. Health and public health iv. Environment v. Land use vi. Sustainability (sustainable safety - SWOV) e. The main traffic-psychology models and theories (Vision 0, the theory of planned behaviour, the homeostasis theory, ?) 2. Driver?s cognition, personality, behaviour, motivation, and emotions a. Driver?s behaviour ? theories (Gadget, subjective risk, self-regulation) b. Drivers? abilities (incl. visual attention and other senses) c. Driver?s personality d. Emotions and motivation e. Driver?s performance ? hierarchical task levels f. Drivers? individual differences g. Main types of risky behaviour i. Safety belt and child restraint use ii. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs iii. Speeding iv. Aggressive driving v. Driver?s distraction and inattention vi. Driver?s fatigue vii. Driver?s stress and anger viii. Running traffic lights ix. Work-related road risk h. Eco-driving 3. Road users a. Drivers i. Professional drivers ii. Private drivers b. Pedestrians c. Motorcyclists d. Cyclists e. Young drivers f. Older drivers g. Children 4. Fitness to drive a. Assessing mental fitness to drive b. Traffic-psychology assessment i. Process ii. Exploration, anamnesis, and interview iii. Ethical issues c. Assessment of cognitive functions and the assessment methods i. Attention and resilience to monotony ii. Memory iii. IQ iv. Peripheral visual perception v. Reaction time d. Assessment of personality traits and the assessment methods i. Sensation seeking ii. Anger and hostility e. Hazard perception assessment

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Demonstration, Projection (static, dynamic)
  • Homework for Teaching - 10 hours per semester
  • Excursion - 5 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 10 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 25 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The main aim of this course is to familiarise the students with the basic theories, objectives, and methods of traffic psychology, including road users? behaviour and the assessment of mental fitness to drive.
Basic knowledge about traffic psychology, excercise in reports writting.
Prerequisites
Preconditions: basic knowledge of psychodiagnostics, clinic psychology and psychology of personality.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Didactic Test, Anamnestic Method

Writen report and its defence during class.
Recommended literature
  • Šucha, M., et al. (2013). Dopravní psychologie pro praxi. Praha.
  • Vanderbild, T. (2008). Traffic.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Psychology (2014) Category: Psychology courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter