Final answer:
While anxiety typically makes drivers cautious rather than aggressive, individuals dealing with high levels of anxiety may engage in risky behaviors, such as aggressive driving, as part of adrenaline-seeking or coping mechanisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anxiety can manifest in various ways and provoke different responses in individuals. In the context of driving, anxiety does not typically cause drivers to make aggressive moves; instead, it may lead to caution or hesitance while driving. However, anxiety could potentially cause aggression in specific circumstances, especially in individuals who are adrenaline-seeking and engage in risky behaviors to manage their anxiety. It's worth noting, for example, that research by Martens et al. (2010) indicates a potential connection between generalized anxiety disorder and adverse events in patients with coronary heart disease, suggesting that the physiological components of anxiety can have serious consequences.
On the flip side, some people may use risky behaviors as a means of coping with their anxiety, as demonstrated by the bold, defiant stance of the woman who insists that certain actions prevent her from having panic attacks. In the same vein, adrenaline addicts might seek out high-stress situations or dangerous occupations, such as firefighting, or engage in actions like reckless driving, as a way to trigger an adrenaline rush that could alleviate their anxiety temporarily. Thus, while anxiety doesn't inherently lead to aggressive driving, certain individuals might adopt aggressive behaviors, including driving, as a misguided coping mechanism for their anxiety.