Is it worth the price we pay to stay connected?

Group 6 Interdisplinary Research ProjectIDS 3933

Ms. Spraker

Localized Issue and Focus

Latoya Jackson is the Director of Student Affairs for the University of Central Florida’s Student Government Association.  Jackson is the driving force behind a new campaign at the University of Central Florida that urges students to stop text-messaging while driving.  Jackson’s passion for the campaign is motivated by her concern for her father who is a tractor-trailer driver.  The purpose of the campaign is to help educate and make UCF students aware of the dangers of the common practice of text-messaging while driving.  The ultimate goal is that when students are equipped with this education and knowledge, they will make an informed decision to stop text-messaging while driving and become involved in helping others do the same.

How can UCF students help reduce the frequency of text-messaging while driving in order to create safer roadways in Central Florida and ultimately in the entire state of Florida? 

Justification of Interdisiplinary Approach

Text-messaging while driving is still a legal and unregulated activity in Central Florida, and the state of Florida in general, despite the fact that research has proven it to be a dangerous, severely distracting activity.  This complex problem, therefore, has remained an unresolved issue and unmet societal need.  Various disciplines have offered important insights into the problem, however no single discipline has been able to thoroughly explain and/or resolve the issue of text-messaging while driving.  The disciplines do nonetheless have points at which they converge because of the common interests they share in the problem.  Thus, since individual disciplines are limited in their capability of explaining such a complicated issue, it is necessary to integrate various disciplines in an interdisciplinary approach to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand.  

Concept Map 

Relevant Discipline Perspective on Text-Messaging While Driving in a General Sense

Government The problem of text-messaging while driving can be regulated and/or eliminated by enacting and enforcing legislation.

Psychology The problem of text-messaging while driving can be regulated and/or eliminated by understanding and adapting the cognitive and behavioral processes of individuals.

Technology The problem of text-messaging while driving can be regulated and/or eliminated by the development of new technology to regulate the usage of cellular phone functions while a vehicle is in operation.

Disciplinary Perspectives Relevant to the Problem of Text-Messaging While Driving

Relevant Discipline

Strength of Perspective

Weakness of Perspective

Government 1. Laws provide strong deterrents to unwanted and/or inappropriate societal behavior(s)

1. Laws are difficult to enact and enforce2. Society has free-will to decide to obey or disregard the laws

Psychology 1. Laws provide strong deterrents to unwanted and/or inappropriate societal behavior(s)

1. Unable to understand/study group behavior

Technology 1. Technology can be utilized to advance society and help create a safer environment

1. Difficult to keep up with the rapid changes or developments in technology

2. Sometimes technology can carry a price tag that people are not willing to pay

Evaluation of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Discipline’s Perspective on the Problem of Text-Messaging While Driving

We used concepts from each of our disciplines to create a common group and then extended the concepts into our other areas, also including economics.  The common ground created between these disciplines encompasses government, psychology, technology and economics. Each of the disciplines listed share several ideals in common. For example the government, psychology, and technology share the ideal of keeping the community safe. The government enacts laws that censor activities to ensure safety of its citizens. Also, “social mores” subconsciously keep members of the community in-line from behaving in ways that are not acceptable to certain areas. Developers of technology create devices and gadgets that improve our lives and remove the complexity of certain activities.

Next, "standards" is another ideal that is shared amongst all of the disciplines referenced here. Government sets certain expectations of its citizens and social mores set standards for its members. Technology also set standards for its users to ensure that compatibility of their devices and to limit the extent of the developers support to its users.

Lastly, there is a monetary gain that is realized by all of the disciplines. The government profits from the violations of its laws which prevent texting while driving. Developers (technology) benefit monetarily from the sale of their products to it users and humans benefit from time saving technology like cellular phones that are equipped with global positioning systems and text messaging capabilities.

Common Ground

Conflicting Theory-Based Insights on the Problem of Text-Messaging While Driving Within and Between DisciplinesDiscipline Theory Insight of the Theory Stated in General Terms Insight of the Theory Applied to the

Problem

Government Democratic Theory Theory begins with the justification of government by the people, usually in terms either of the rights of individual citizens, or the need to protect their interests effectively. It then proceeds to the two questions of what government by the people means, and how, if at all, it can be implemented.

Many citizens are becoming more involved in advocating for government to take action and enact legislature to regulate and/or ban the act of text-messaging while driving.

Common Good Theory Theory of shared interests. There exists a desirable end for governmental or public policy which is good for the whole society.This 'common good' can be discovered by informed and reasoned thought, and though it may overlap with the good of particular groups or individuals, is different from and greater than the interest of any one of them.

Many states have already enacted laws against text-messaging while driving for the ‘common good’, safety & protection of their citizens.

Social Contract Theory Theory of political obligation or authority.The duty to obey government and law, and the right to govern and make law, arises from a contract or agreement either between ruler and ruled, or amongst the ruled. It is not normally suggested that there ever was an actual historical contract, but that it would be reasonable to behave as if there had been.

Anti-text-messaging while driving laws should be obeyed by the people and if not obeyed, should be enforced accordingly.

Cognitive Theory Theory focused on internal states, such as motivation, problem solving, decision-making, thinking, and attention.

Discipline Theory Insight of the Theory Stated in General Terms Insight of the Theory Applied to the Problem

Psychology Behavioral Theory Theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning.

If people have been conditioned to text-message while driving, they can also be conditioned NOT to text-message while driving.

Cognitive Theory Theory focused on internal states, such as motivation, problem solving, decision-making, thinking, and attention.

People have the cognitive ability to think about the dangers of text-messaging while driving, make a conscious decision not to do it and pay attention to driving.

Social Psychology Theory

Theory focused on helping us understand and explain social behavior. Social theories are generally centered on specific social phenomena, including group behavior, pro-social behavior, social influence, love and much more.

Text-messaging while driving has become a social phenomenon, unrestricted to any particular social group and/or status.

Conflicting Theory-Based Insights on the Problem of Text-Messaging While Driving Within and Between Disciplines

Discipline Theory Insight of the Theory Stated in General Terms Insight of the Theory Applied to the Problem

Technology Behavioral TheorySocial Construction of Technology Theory (SCOT)

Theory argues that technology does not determine human action, but that human action shapes technology.

The human demands for better and more useful technology has prompted continuous upgrades & enhancements to cell phone technology & equipment.

Social Presence Theory

Theory focused on internal states, such as motivation, problem solving, decision-making, thinking, and attention.

People have the cognitive ability to think about the dangers of text-messaging while driving, make a conscious decision not to do it and pay attention to driving.

Social Psychology Theory

Seminal theory of the social effects of communication technology. Its main concern is with telephony and telephone conferencing.

Text-messaging while driving has created significant social effects in the way people communicate with one another.

Conflicting Theory-Based Insights on the Problem of Text-Messaging While Driving Within and Between Disciplines

Literary Review

Article Review (Government)

Title: UCF student government targets texting and drivingAlbeit student government at UCF, this article provides insight into the “campaign that urges students to stop texting while driving.” The authority of the article comes from Shayla Silva’s (a UCF journalism student) use of an array of personal interviews and Department of Transportation information.  The focus on student leaders that are working to raise awareness of the texting while driving problem and getting fellow students to sign a petition to “pledge not to text while they drive” is also effective. The objectivity of Silva appears to be fairly impartial. The information presented contains relevant background studies that support Silva’s point of view. These studies provide the necessary evidence to persuade fellow students and the general public to support the article’s position. The value of the article comes from the perspective itself as it gives a glimpse of the importance of the issue to the demographic that texting while driving affects. Additional value is found in the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) perspective on the issue. An FHP spokesperson stated that “texting while driving is not something that law enforcement can stop.” However law enforcement can enforce the law when broken, such as when texting leads to “an improper lane change or run a red light.”

Orlando Sentinel: UCF student government targets texting and driving, By Shayla Silva. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/ucf/os-ucf-textingdriving,0,2659835.story

Literary Review (cont.)

Article Review

Title: City Wants To Ban Texting While DrivingLink: http://www.wftv.com/news/21985705/detail.html?taf=orlcThis brief article presents the possibility of the city of Winter Park, Florida creating an ordinance banning texting while driving. The article appears to be one written by an unidentified staff person at the local Orlando based television WFTV. The WFTV staffer makes reference to the fact that “Experts say there's no question that text messaging while driving is dangerous,” however does not identify the experts’ credentials to support the claim.  Through the use of “experts,” the staffer’s objectivity is prejudicial. Anecdotal personal interview of a person on the street adds little to the staffer’s objectivity. The article is presented in order to prove the point of view – texting is dangerous – and it should be the only consideration to be made.  The article states that Winter Park “city officials” are considering a local ban on the texting while driving. On face value, the statement is persuasive in support of the staffer’s position. It is also supported by the discussion held on December 14, 2009 during the monthly City Commissioner’s meeting. However, after searching the City Commissioners meeting agendas since January 2010, there is no single item or discussion point that specifically relates to the issue being discussed or reviewed. In the end, the article stirs the heart and mind of the reader (and in this case the viewer as this was presented on through the local television broadcast), yet does not further the understanding of the subject.

City Commission / City of Winter Park. http://www.cityofwinterpark.org/Pages/Government/City_Commission.aspx. Accessed on July 3, 2010.

Literary Review (cont.)

Article review (Psychology)

Title: How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving: Road Safety for Parents, Teens, Adults Means a Ban on TextingEllen Freudenheim is a contributing writer to the published web site. Her published credentials include years of writing about public health issues and holds a masters degree in public health from Columbia University. The citation of statistical evidence in the article provides additional support documentation to the article. Freudenheim’s public health background does not appear to infer or prejudice the targeted audience regarding the article’s point of view. Anecdotal opinion regarding the opposing position is provided, however it does not interfere with the premise of the article. The “ways to break the habit of texting while driving” is presented as factual information and encourages loved ones to particularly persuade those inclined to text to consider the listed information in the interest of road safety. The value of this article is in the list and should be included in the research project as possible alternatives when legislation is not enacted to control the behavior of drivers through self discipline and personal responsibility.

Freudenheim, E. (Published September 28, 2009). How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving: Road Safety for Parents, Teens, Adults Means a Ban on Texting. http://healthfieldmedicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_stop_text_messaging_while_driving

Literary Review (cont.)

Article review (Psychology)

Title: Texting While Driving and the Seduction of InvincibilityExcellent blog article that explores the psychological reasons why we text and drive as well as the possible behavior change of individual drivers by breaking the habit of texting and driving.  Dr. Tamara McClintock Greenberg’s credential is offered in a sidebar to the article which identifies her as an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. The included links to the cited surveys adds to Greenberg’s credibility. The article is based on her opinion to published studies that relate to distracted drivers with observed evidence of texting while driving. The article brings to light the opinion that teens and young adults are not the only ones texting and that older, “more mature” drivers are also guilty of such irresponsible behavior. This particular point of view adds to the persuasiveness of the article and will be of value to the overall research effort.

Greenberg, T. M. (Published on December 2, 2009).  Psychology Today: Texting While Driving and the Seduction of Invincibility. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/21st-century-aging/200912/texting-while-driving-and-the-seduction-invincibility

Literary Review (cont.)

Article Review (Technology)

Title: Human-computer interaction Automotive User Interfaces: Human Computer Interaction in the CarArticle is a collaboration of human-computer interaction experts that presented the information at the recent Computer Human Interaction (CHI) Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. The focus of the article is on the human-computer interaction (HCI) of on-board systems that allow a driver to interact with entertainment, communication, and automotive diagnostic technology. The article presents a fair, yet technological-focused approach to the trends of removing the driver’s capability to enjoy an enhanced experience through the use of technology. As long as the technology industry works closely with the automotive industry, the public will be persuaded to accept the ‘gadgets’ in the car. This article addresses the “central questions is how to design systems that make driving safer while providing for the users’ needs.” The article’s focuses on the “needs for improved and innovative interaction and interfaces in the car, and techniques for achieving these.” Additionally, “Experts in human factors and HCI professionals … believe that … the increase of digital functionality in the car” is becoming more important. The value of this article is the perspective it adds to the perception that not enough is being done to implement technological solutions to the growing problem of cell phone use (inferred is texting) while driving.

Kun, A. L., Schmidt, A., Dey, A. K., Spiessl, W. (April, 2010). Automotive User Interfaces: Human Computer Interaction in the Car. http://www.andrewkun.com/papers/2010/sig126-schmidt.pdf

Literary Review (cont.)

Article Review (Technology)Title: Study: Ford SYNC™ Reduces Driving Distractions, Helps Drivers Keep Eyes on RoadThis article is off of the Ford Motor Company's website. It provides some information and statistics on its new SYNC technology that it developed in partnership with Microsoft. It software currently being shipped with several cars in Fords new lineup of vehicles. The SYNC application provides the occupants of the vehicle with a completely hands free control over a majority of the devices in the car including BlueTooth connectivity to cellular phones. The article outlines the benefits the SYNC application provides to drivers while performing functions that would normally take their eyes off the road. One of the statistics mentions that "reading a text message on a handheld phone typically took the driver’s eyes off the road for 11 seconds compared to about 2 seconds when listening to the text message with SYNC's text-to-speech output."Another item that the article mentions is that out of all of the drivers they tested (all while using cell phones) that over 30% of them veered into other lanes while the very same drivers performing the same tasks, but using the SYNC technology, 0% percent of them veered into other lanes. The main reason for this was that the SYNC technology kept the driver from ever needing to take their eyes off of the road.

Ford Motor Company (April 6, 2009), Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, US Department of Transportation Link: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29812

Interdisciplinary Analysis

This research paper takes the issue of text-messaging while driving and applies the disciplines of Government, Psychology, and Technology to come up with an interdisciplinary approach to finding a solution. We felt that each of these disciplines have, in some way, contributed to finding a solution, but no one has been able to successfully put a stop to this problem. However, we did believe that these three were large and essential pieces in taking the right steps to finding an answer.On the Government side there have been a number of proposals brought to the forefront as well as much public outcry for the need of our Government to step in and enact legislation that will help stave off the effects of text-messaging while driving. It has been an ongoing process that has, for the most part, only yielded in public activism such as the “No Phone Zone” Pledge1.  We knew that one of the main variables of our research question dealt with human behavior so the logical choice of our next discipline was Psychology. Studies such as the “Text Messaging During Simulated Driving”2 test bring to light valuable information concerning the link between a driver’s response time while engaging in multiple activities. The figures calculated in tests like these are imperative when trying to quantify just how much needs to be done to solve this problem by showing just how high risk driving while text-messaging is. Lastly, the discipline of Technology plays a pivotal role in our research. Based on much of the evidence we collected, one might say that technology is the problem and the solution. Having taken a lot of the data and input from the Government discipline and Psychological test results, the two paths we’ve seen the Technology discipline take are to:·         Completely disable texting features (TxTStopper3)·         Or, to come up with a technological solution that will more easily facilitate the act of text-messaging so as to not distract the driver as much4

 1.  http://www.wftv.com/news/23319714/detail.html?taf=orlc2. Drews, F. A., Yazdani, H., Godfrey, C. N., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2009). Text Messaging During Simulated Driving. Human   Factors. http://www.psych.utah.edu/lab/appliedcognition/publications/texting.pdf3. TXT Stopper (2010) http://txtstopper.com/4. Ford Motor Company (April 6, 2009), Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, US Department of Transportation Link: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29812 

Conclusion

By looking at the problem of texting while driving through various disciplines, we are able to more clearly see the complexity of what we are trying to accomplish within Central Florida.  Latoya Jackson, Director of Student Affairs for the University of Central Florida’s Student Government Association has fought to remind us of the importance of this issue.  Our approach was to provide education that would influence and empower each individual on the roadways to make safer choices.  We are able to see possible solutions more clearly as we focus on the varying and equally important aspects presented through the disciplines of government, technology, and psychology.

The question continues to be: How can UCF students help reduce the frequency of text-messaging while driving in order to create safer roadways in Central Florida and ultimately in the entire state of Florida?  We propose education for everyone about the risks and effects of driving while texting, greater support of legislation that has already been presented by the community, and greater use of the technology that is becoming available and currently is available thereby driving it to become more affordable.  While these findings will hinder many from doing what they naturally psychologically would desire to do, as they have been taught to do, they will satisfy the greater good of creating safer roadways by greatly reducing the number of people sending texts while driving.

Works Cited

“City Wants to Ban Texting While Driving”. WFTV.com. 16 March 2010. WFTV. Web. 3 July 2010. Cooper, J.M., Drews, F.A., Godfrey, C.N., Strayer, D. L., & Yazdani, H. “Text Messaging During Simulated Driving. Human Factors”. 2009. PDF File. 3 July 2010. Dey, A.K., Kun, A.L., Schmidt, A., & Spiessl, W. “Automotive User Interfaces: Human Computer Interaction in the Car”. April 2010. PDF File. 1 July 2010. “Driver Electronic Use in 2008”. NHTSA.gov. September 2009. PDF File. 3 July 2010. Freudenheim, E. “How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving: Road Safety for Parents, Teens, Adults Means a Ban on Texting”. Suite101.com. 28 September 2009. Web. 2 July 2010. Goldstein, E. “Texting While Driving: Breaking the Habit”. Mentalhelp.net. Updated: 6 August 2009. CenterSite, LLC. Web. 2 July 2010. Gonzalez, E.R., “Victim’s Family Seeks Ban on Texting While Driving”. Orlando Sentinel. 13 February 2009. Orlando Sentinel. Web. 3 July 2010.

Works Cited (cont.)

Gonzalez, E.R., “Victim’s Family Seeks Ban on Texting While Driving”. Orlando Sentinel. 13 February 2009. Orlando Sentinel. Web. 3 July 2010.

Greenberg, T.M. “Texting While Driving and the Seduction of Invincibility”. Psychology Today. 2 December 2009. Sussex Publishers, LLC. Web. 2 July 2010.

“Local Students Take ‘No Phone Zone’ Pledge”. WFTV.com. 30 April 2010. WFTV. Web. 2 July 2010.

“Mom of Young Victim Pushes Texting Ban”. WFTV.com. 24 March 2010. WFTV. Web. 3 July 2010.

Silva, S. “UCF Student Government Targets Texting and Driving”. Orlando Sentinel. 20 June 2010. Orlando Sentinel. Web. 1 July 2010.

“Study: Ford SyncTM Reduces Driving Distractions, Helps Drivers Keep Eyes on Road”. Media.Ford.com. 6 April 2009. Ford Motor Company. Web. 30 June 2010.

TXT Stopper. 2010. Web. 3 July 2010.

Wilson, Senator. “SB 244: Heather’s Law/Cellular Telephone Use in Vehicles”. March 24, 2010. PDF File. 30 June 2010.

• Group 06• Ashley Baillargeon• Ashley Lamanna• Carmin Leach• Jennlyn Bishop• Jennifer Hickel• Jhenssen Vega• Johnny Addison• Kelly Hales• Richard Genslinger • Vincent Mazzurco

 

Group #6 Members