The Psychology of Motorcycles
Often, motorcycle riding is a leisure activity that boosts the state of the well being. For the past years, the field of psychology has focused more attention on the helmet usage, the relationship between helmet laws and riding deaths, and the traumatic effects that emerge from head injuries. The psychology of motorcycles has played a crucial role since it has enabled many people to comprehend how to respond to the effects of injuries or trauma and how to avoid it. In the realm of psychology, it has been proven significant to maintain a strong and positive state of the mind and brain when riding the motorcycle. Psychology encourages motorcycle riders to embrace every law that govern the activity to eradicate careless accidents. Riders should also ensure that they are adequately trained on how to ride. Psychologists believe that creativity is an important skill to develop cognitive abilities, social, and emotional well-being (Tod, Thatcher & Rahman, 2010). This essay provides a comprehensive review of the subject “psychology of motorcycles”.
For years, psychology has been a prime field that focuses on the mind and brain. In motorcycle riding, psychology contributes to a new understanding of the psychological experiences experienced by non-street bikes or cruiser riders. Psychology has laid a strong ground to understand why most people engage in motorcycle riding. In respond to this, it is worth to remember that leisure is a core activity, which human beings cannot do away with. Motorcycle riding is a crucial leisure widely recognized as a method to overcome and control traumatic emotional and psychological experiences. The activity helps riders to overcome stressors linked with negative life events. With this, motorcycle riding is a crucial leisure activity that helps people to express themselves the best way possible. Sport psychiatrists view the activity as a pleasant experience that is intrinsically motivating and often autonomous, optional, and self-involving. This implies that, one must make a personal decision to engage in the activity and face any repercussion that may emerge. Motorcycle riding is importance since it helps riders to re-energize and relax. When people are re-energized and relaxed, they are more effective to perform daily activities in their lives. Motorcycle riding is a leisure time where one spends time to relieve from life stressors. Thus, the psychology behind motorcycle riding is that it helps in relieving stress and increasing relaxation.
Psychologists have proven that, motorcycle riding is crucial when it comes to human development ((Keyes & Haidt, 2003). In essence, plays are crucial in human mind development. When people are riding the motorcycle, they develop motor and cognitive skills. The sport activity helps riders to learn the basic skills of life such as working hard to achieve a common goal. It also boosts the child social skills having in mind most people ride motorcycle for fun. Similarly, when children and adolescents are inclined toward motorcycle riding, they develop intellectually and socially. Thus, motorcycle riding cannot be underestimated in improving the child’s development and social skills.
Sports psychology obliges the need for motorcycle riders to be adequately equipped with the necessary skills and abilities to ride. Most nations emphasize that; riders should obtain a motorcycle riding before starting. To acquire the permit, riders take a test based on the motorcycle handbook, which outline the specific laws and requirements governing the activity. After obtaining the permit, the rider is encouraged to learn the basic skills of riding. In most cases, experts recommend riders to observe safety precautions to avoid road accidents. Similarly, riders are encouraged to wear a helmet, which protects the brain and head in case of a fall. It also distract the rider from various distraction caused by flying debris and dust. In most cases, motorcycle riders are encouraged to wear bright coloured clothes for visibility. Lastly, well-fitting boots and gloves protect the motorcycle rider from flying debris and cold temperatures. It is crucial for riders to embrace the mentioned precautions to ride effectively without any distraction. Sports psychology encourages riders to embrace mental strategies such as relaxation, early preparations, and coping with pressures of injuries. It is crucial for riders to be adequately prepared with skills to finish the activity successfully. They should be adequately prepared with skills of coping with traumatic experiences after the injuries. When riders adopt these strategies, they are more likely to be stable in the mind and in their performance.
According to Tod, Thatcher & Rahman (2010), dehydration is a common problem that affects riders. Many factors such as high humidity, high temperature, and direct sun exposure can cause dehydration when riding a motorcycle. Dehydration causes the rider to be psychologically and physically unstable to perform the task effectively. Proper hydration is crucial when riding a motorcycle because dehydration can cause psychological effects such as confusion, dizziness, and fatigue and these factors could easily cause accidents. Other effects of dehydration include shallow breathing, low blood pressure, and mental fogginess. To remain hydrated all through, motorcycle riders are encouraged to observe simple rules such as drinking water before starting the ride. One should avoid drinks such as soda and coffee as they may dehydrate the body system. One should also wear a hydration system or hydration pack to prevent dehydration throughout the day.
To Singh (2005), there is high motivation and morale when riders are riding as a group. A continuous interaction increases mutual association, unity, and friendship. Riding as a team creates a strong and healthy competition, which in turn boost mental and social skills. Psychologists believe that anxiety is highest when there is no competition (Singh, 2005). However, competition increases morale and self-confidence. The hypothesis created by this research is that, riders are more motivated to ride when working as a team than on an individual basis. Riders are more likely to follow the set laws governing the activity when working as a team. Although the aspect of riding as a team may work in competitions, riders must embrace every challenge posed by competition.
A model advocated by Plato on emotion affirms that happiness is the vital element in human beings. Plato values the concept of emotion and encourages human beings to embrace every activity that improves the state of their mind. He argues that, one should utilize reasoning and logic to channel emotions to create a constructive thing that enhance truth facts. He gives an example of art that often create emotion response to the reader. For instance, if a person is happy and he writes a poem about her state it will motivate the readers to respond to the same state though they were not before. Following this, emotions may only perpetuate if individuals engage into leisure activities such as motorcycle riding that enhance a deeper understanding along the three components of human mind which are desire, emotive, and reasoning parts (Keyes & Haidt, 2003).
Aristotle is a known philosophy who in his work provided the psychology principle of living a good life. In his research, he believed that emotions are in split module but, centred by ethical standards that result to desirable emotions. In this context, the right emotions are established from the principle of living a fulfilling life. While people with desirable morals have right emotions those with undesirable life are vice versa. Aristotle believes that morals must harmonise with emotions and when they are combined dictates the human functioning. From this research, it is evident that motorcycle riders are more likely to develop desirable emotions such as relaxation that helps one to be effective in life. The activity reduces painful experiences that may have emerged in the past (Keyes & Haidt, 2003).
Lastly, Stoics’ conceptions of the good life regard that for one to achieve a true well-being one may require virtues that boost relaxation and the mind. The stoic account constructs the concept that human beings are born with an awareness of themselves and environmental factors dictate the state of well-being. According to Stoic, virtues are the sole foundation of happiness and all beings are capable of achieving these virtue. Failure of comprehending what is good leads to desirable emotions such as grief and anger (Tod, Thatcher & Rahman, 2010). Based on Stoic account, motorcycle riding is a perfect activity that helps one to achieve virtues such as happiness, joy, and peace. This is because, a relaxed mind is more likely to be happy and be in a peaceful mood.
References
Keyes, C. L. M., & Haidt, J. (Eds.) (2003). Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well lived. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
Singh, Y. (2005). Sports psychology. New Delhi: Sports Publication.
Tod, D., Thatcher, J., & Rahman, R. (2010). Sport psychology. New York: Palgrave Macmillan
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