Following slower drivers: Lead driver status moderates driver’s anger and behavioural responses and exonerates culpability Amanda N. Stephens a,⇑ , John A. Groeger b a College of Arts, Psychology Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia b Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Hull, UK article info Article history: Received 25 June 2012 Received in revised form 3 June 2013 Accepted 29 November 2013 Keywords: Driving anger Aggressive driving Low status high status Driving simulator abstract Two experiments investigated the effects of lead-driver status on the anger-experienced and aggression-expressed in traffic scenarios in which the lead drivers’ actions were deter- mined by an event obviously beyond, or within, their control. Experiment I contrasted reac- tions to lead-cars bearing Learner driver markings (Low Status) or similar unmarked cars (Control), while Experiment II contrasted reactions to Ambulances (High Status) or other- wise identical generic work vans (Control). Reported anger, heart-rate and behaviour were measured while drivers drove. When the lead vehicle slowed or changed course because of the actions of another road user, drivers were reliably more angered when slowed by a learner driver than an unmarked sedan. Drivers reported less anger when slowed by an Ambulance, than by a work van, when there was no apparent cause for the lead-vehicle slowing. Driver behaviour also differed according to lead-vehicle status. Drivers allowed greater headway between themselves and a slower ambulance, but drove closer to the work-van, and followed Learner drivers at a dangerously close distance, leaving greater headway behind a similar, unmarked car. Reliable differences in subjective anger ratings and behaviour suggest that anger experienced and expressed depends not just on the actions of the perpetrator but on the perceived status of that perpetrator. Higher status vehicles appear to be forgiven their indiscretions more readily even when there are no extenuating circumstances, whilst lower status drivers are likely to be blamed more readily for circumstances beyond their control. Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction There is a growing body of evidence that suggests individuals use status assessments to regulate emotions and behaviour (Allan & Gilbert, 2002; Conway, Di Fazio, & Mayman, 1999; Lively & Powell, 2006; Lovaglia & Houser, 1996). Status is denoted by prestige or social position, ranking in professional settings or perceived skill supremacy. It can also be determined by con- trol over rewards or punishments within a specific group. Higher status group members are more likely to display their an- ger overtly and aggressively towards lower status group members (Allan & Gilbert, 2002; Lively & Powell, 2006). Lower status group members, in contrast, tend to avoid direct expressions of anger and are more likely to suppress (Allan & Gilbert, 2002) or displace their anger onto members of equal or lower status (Sloan, 2004). In these regards, anger is measured as a transient emotional state (Lively & Powell, 2006; Sloan, 2004). Self-report studies have shown that it is not that anger differs according to status, per se, but skill differences coupled with the situational structure of the group allows certain members to behave aggressively (e.g.: Allan & Gilbert, 2002; 1369-8478/$ - see front matter Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2013.11.005 ⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +61 3 98986955. E-mail address: a.stephens@ucc.ie (A.N. Stephens). Transportation Research Part F 22 (2014) 140–149 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Transportation Research Part F journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/trf