A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR CONFLICTING JUDGEMENTS CAUSED BY STRESS, APPLIED TO POSSIBLE MISESTIMATIONS OF SPEED CAUSED BY ALCOHOL

A mathematical model is proposed, based on catastrophe theory, to describe the qualitative effect of stress upon the neural mechanisms used for making judgements, such as estimating speed. Teh model is used quantitatively to fit data, and to explain the cusp-shaped results of Drew et al. (1959), showing that introverts under alcohol tend to drive either too fast or too slow in a driving simulator. Experiments are suggested in which discontinuous jumps in perception of continuous variables like speed might well appear.

• Corporate Authors:

  Wright (John) and Sons, Limited

  42-44 Triangle West
  Bristol,   England 
• Authors:
  • Zeeman, E C
• Publication Date: 1976-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 19-31
• Serial:
  • British Journal of Mathematical & Statistic Psych
  • Volume: 29
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Wright (John) and Sons, Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohols; Drivers; Driving simulators; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Emotions; Human factors; Judgment (Human characteristics); Mathematical models; Motor vehicles; Speed; Stresses; Traffic speed
• ITRD Terms: 7347: Alcohol; 2248: Decision process; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 132: Forecast; 6473: Mathematical model; 2255: Psychology; 5408: Speed; 2234: Stress (psychol)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00152932
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1977 12:00AM