Driving Anger Experience and Its Expression in China vs. Japan: An International Cross-Cultural Comparison

Driving anger, a frequent and intense anger while operating a car, has been found to correlate significantly with risky and aggressive driving behaviour leading to higher probabilities of traffic accidents. To date, extensive, detailed, and comparative studies on this critical issue are lacking in most Asian countries. Our study aims to fill this gap. We examined the reliability and validity of Chinese and Japanese versions of the Driving Anger Scale and of the Driving Anger Expression Inventory. Results point to a tendency for Chinese drivers to experience less driving anger as compared to drivers in Japan. However, Chinese drivers were found to express their driving anger more explicitly. Cross-cultural comparisons of the experience and expression of driving anger between China, Japan, and other Asian and western countries are highlighted. Implications for further research as well as for applied issues aiming to increase traffic safety are discussed.*******(Alternative Presentation Type: )*******

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Michael Oehl, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany
Stefan Brandenburg, Technische Universitaet Berlin, Germany
P. L. Patrick Rau, Tsinghua University, China
Zhi Guo, Tsinghua University, China
Taro Kanno, The University of Tokyo, Japan