There is strong evidence from different social sciences research that
the relationship between individuals (may it be imitating behaviour or
other types of behaviour) has a strong effect on their behaviour. The
most currently influential approach for achieving better rule compliance
is "zero tolerance", the idea that all violations of a rule, even minor
ones, should be punished (the "Broken Window" theory). However, recent
research studies criticise this concept. Indeed, there is a lack of
behavioural and social aspects of individual and group behaviour in
transport research. An interesting example about illegal parking is
given in a recent (unpublished?) paper by Erev et al, "On the potential
of gentle rule enforcement".
Dr Erel Avineri
Lecturer in Integrated Transport
Centre for Transport & Society
Faculty of the Built Environment
University of the West of England
Frenchay Campus
Coldharbour Lane
BRISTOL BS16 1QY
Telephone: 0117 32 83197
Fax: 0117 32 83899
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://www.transport.uwe.ac.uk/staff/erel.htm
-----Original Message-----
From: Universities Transport Study Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Michael Nandris
Sent: 21 January 2005 11:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [UTSG] Multiple red-light jumping
Dear All,
Yesterday I witnessed between 5-7 cars running a red light in Camden. In
years of driving I never saw anything as brazen as this - the herd
mentality in action.
I am sure the 6th or 7th driver was just following the others (why
assume malice when stupidity will suffice as an explanation) but it is
tempting to believe that changes to social norms may be occuring.
I have noticed the Sphexish reaction of some car drivers to cyclists'
running a red light and am wondering whether the social acceptability of
doing so has been adversly influenced.
I am interested in research aimed at spotting changes in social norms
and what is normally regarded as anti-social. I believe things like
running red lights, and using the hard shoulder (quite common on the M11
during the Stanstead slipway extension) are becoming more common, but
difficult to quantify without data.
regards
M. Nandris
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
This incoming email to UWE has been independently scanned for viruses
and any virus detected has been removed using McAfee anti-virus software
This email has been independently scanned for viruses and any virus software has been removed using McAfee anti-virus software
|