Thomas D. Berry

A nationwide survey of self-reported red light running: measuring prevalence, predictors, and perceived consequences

A United States probability sample of 880 licensed drivers participated in a telephone survey of red light running perceptions and behaviors. Despite most drivers believing red light running was problematic and dangerous, approximately one in five respondents reported running one or more red lights when entering the last ten signalized intersections. Among several demographic and attitude variables, only age group predicted recent red light running. Specifically, younger respondents were more likely to be violators. Drivers also reported being more likely to run red lights when alone, and were typically in a hurry when speeding up to be beat red lights. Contrary to expectations, frustration was not as important for predicting red light running as it was for other driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, weaving, and gesturing angrily at others. Additionally, drivers perceived and received few consequences for running red lights. Less than 6% had received a traffic ticket for red light running and most believed that police would catch less than 20% of violators. Slightly more than one in ten had been involved in a red light running crash. Respondents most commonly suggested legal initiatives to reduce red light running. Accordingly, we recommend traffic safety experts pursue interventions that apply immediate and consistent negative consequences to violators to change the publics red light running perceptions and behavior.

Developing and Testing a Touch-Path Model for Hand Hygiene and Pathogen Risk Design-Behavior Assessment of Fast-Food Restaurant Restrooms

Researchers explored 48 fast-food restaurant and coffee shop restrooms for factors that influence hand hygiene and the spread of disease. Using a naturalistic-observation approach, a catalogue of restroom design features requiring a hand touch were tabulated. Restroom data provided the basis for a conceptual framework for modeling pathogen risk, as defined by the number of hand touches to operate a restroom facility. The touch-path model tested whether men’s and women’s “perceptions of risk” and “intent to hand wash” were influenced by restroom use of commodes, urinals, design innovations, and other design configurations. Results showed that men’s and women’s perceptions of risk and intent to hand wash decreased as a function of design innovations. Women, as compared with men, reported greater perceptions of risk and intent to hand wash. In addition to the social-norm and self-awareness theory, this research supported the approach of understanding design-behavior interactions with respect to hand hygiene.

An Individual-Subject Approach To The Study Of Community-Based Interventions

Community intervention research has employed group designs and repeated measures in an attempt to demonstrate intervention effectiveness. Indeed, targeting a group of individuals has been a defining methodological tactic for examining problem behaviors thought to have a widespread detrimental impact across society. Unfortunately, this common methodological approach may actually retard a comprehensive and ongoing process of understanding environment and behavior relationships. This article offers a complementary individual-subject approach to evaluating community-based interventions in orderto construct a specificknowledge of community behavior and intervention effectiveness. Specifically, three research benefits of an individual-subject approach are illustrated by documenting the study of a single individuals safety belt use. They are research economy, intensity, and flexibility.

Examining Hand-Washing Rates and Durations in Public Restrooms A Study of Gender Differences Via Personal, Environmental, and Behavioral Determinants

Guided by Social Learning Theory, competing hypotheses tested whether personal, environmental, or behavioral factors influenced gender differences in hand washing. A total of 170 observations were made in public restrooms on a university campus. Results suggested that differentiating patron use of urinals and commodes was appropriate for examining hand-washing differences between women and men. The research found hand-washing rates of men and women were similar if both had just used a commode. In contrast, after using urinals, men’s hand-washing rates were substantially lower than commode users. Although environmental factors appear to have an overriding influence over men’s hand washing, duration data suggest that the specific behavior performed in a restroom (e.g., urination or defecation) was a better predictor of hand-washing rates and durations. These findings contradict gender-socialization theory as the explanation for differences in hand washing and warrant further investigation of environmental and behavioral influences.

The Human–Animal Interaction Scale: Development and Evaluation

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to develop the Human–Animal Interaction Scale (HAIS) and evaluate its reliability and validity. The HAIS is a 24-item self-report instrument designed to describe and quantify behaviors performed by humans and nonhuman animals during an episode of interaction (e.g., engaging with a pet, participating in an animal-assisted intervention). Participants were 295 adult volunteers who completed the HAIS in one of several different contexts, including both laboratory and applied settings. The scale was tested across several different species, including companion animals (i.e., dogs and cats), small caged animals (i.e., rats, rabbit, hedgehog), and horses. Analyses indicate good reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82 overall and alphas of 0.72 and higher across the different species and settings. Test-retest analyses indicate ratings remain consistent up to one week following an interaction. Evidence of construct validity was gathered by comparing HAIS ratings with other well-established measures of related constructs, as well as comparing participant reports with researcher observations. Potential uses in basic and applied research are discussed.

Speed(ing): A Quality Control Approach

Publisher Summary The purpose of this chapter is threefold. First it recognizes that explaining driver preferred speed(ing) is inherently complex. Second it conducts a brief literature review as a means of demonstrating the usefulness of the quality control approach to: organize the rich literature, and illustrate the science of speed(ing) as a big picture made up of a multitude of specific research questions and goals. Third it discusses how government leaders, researchers, and safety and traffic experts may use the quality control approach to manage the qualities that influence driver speed and the associated consequences of speed. When building a car, auto manufacturers must address the complexities of design, planning, resources, processes, assembly, testing, delivery, sale, and customer satisfaction. The car being built can be considered a nexus because there are thousands of parts that make up many components, and these components are then assembled into a vehicle that has functionality and identity. Today, auto manufactures realize that cars of low quality are not likely to be appreciated by owners. The ability to manage multiple “assembly lines of causation” that come together to build a quality car is a daunting task. From engineers to assembly line workers, each plays a role in the building of a car, and thus each contributes to the cars quality as revealed in some variance measure. To help control variance and increase quality in the assembly of a vehicle, manufacturers turn to quality control initiatives.

Using Cognitive and Physical Ergonomic Requirements to Promote Healthy Snacking Behavior: A Refrigerator Design Analysis

The science of Human Factors provides an important approach toward solving poor eating and drinking habits of US citizens. The focus of our three-prong investigation was to address the influences of snacking behavior. First, self-report interviews suggested that cognitive-behavioral factors such as cravings and food item availabilities were critical to poor snacking choices. Second, analysis of individuals’ actual refrigerator contents showed snacking food and drink items were available form top to bottom shelves, but was more likely available as drinks (milk, juice, sodas, and alcohol) and as dairy products. Third, a review of anthropometric data revealed a decreased range of motion in obese participants in critical movements to the task of refrigerated snack selection. From this approach we concluded that current and common top-freezer style refrigerators fail to provide users with the organization and guidance needed to promote healthy snack selection.

It can W8: A community intervention to decrease distracted driving

ABSTRACT Researchers tested an intervention to decrease cell-phone use while driving on a university campus. A total of 3,827 driving observations were recorded on a campus roadway over a three-week period. The campus intervention, consisting of fear appeals, pledges, and behavioral prompts, was tested using an ABA reversal design (Baseline-Intervention-Baseline) with observed cell-phone use as the dependent measure. A Chi-Square test of independence indicated the percentage of drivers talking on a cell phone decreased significantly from 8.5% of 945 drivers at Baseline to 5.5% of 1,428 drivers following the Intervention. In contrast, the percentage of drivers observed texting increased significantly from 4% of 945 drivers at Baseline to 6.2% of 1,428 drivers following the Intervention. Additionally, safety-belt use was associated with the type of phone use observed. Findings were significantly different for women versus men. Results are discussed in the context of behavioral community intervention and gender differences in traffic-safety behavior.