Dr. Anne O’Dwyer is in the process of writing a book, tentatively titled A Driving Anger. She is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

This book is for those curious about what it is about driving that causes so many people to get so extremely angry—so filled with rage—so often. 

Why is it that, when we are on the road, we experience such A Driving Anger?

— Anne O’Dwyer, A Driving Anger

A Driving Anger

Thanks for being interested in my book project.  I’ve been interested in road rage for many years. This book, tentatively titled A Driving Anger, is the culmination of many, many years of reading, researching, and conversations I’ve had over the years with hundreds (probably closer to thousands) of people about their experiences with road rage.

See my Book page for details on this project and my research.

Bard College at Simon’s Rock

I’ve been teaching psychology at Bard College at Simon’s Rock in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts for over 25 years.

The courses I teach also span a wide range of subjects in psychology. I have taught Introduction to Psychology every semester for over 25 years (more than 50 times!), and I still find it one of my favorite classes! I love introducing students to psychology and sharing with them some of the best (and sadly, worst) moments in the field’s history. Please see my Teaching page for more information on the span of courses I teach at Simon’s Rock and elsewhere.

While teaching, advising, and mentoring have been my primary foci these past many years, I continue to find time to read about my two main areas of interest: interpersonal conflict and the nature of the self. Also, road rage—A Driving Anger—is connected to these interests, as conflicts between drivers are somewhat unusual instances of interpersonal conflict (how often are we confronted with our interdependence with total strangers?). And how we perceive other drivers and feel when enraged on the road are connected, I believe, with how we see ourselves.

Simon’s Rock Faculty Profile

Rage at real injustices and malicious and oppressive actions is understandable and appropriate. In contrast, harming or threatening to harm another person because they erred while driving—or even carelessly and thoughtlessly broke a driving rule—is not a reasonable or appropriate response.

— Anne O’Dwyer, A Driving Anger