The purpose of the current study was to assess the efficacy of mental models as a predictor of driving outcomes. In contrast to more traditional measures of knowledge, mental models capture the configural property of knowledge, that is, an individual's understanding of the interrelationships that exist among critical concepts within a particular knowledge domain. Given that research has consistently shown the usefulness of mental models for the prediction of performance in a number of settings, it was hypothesized that the development of accurate driving mental models would also play an important role in the prediction of driving outcomes, especially in comparison to traditional measures of driving knowledge—such as the multiple-choice type tests typically required to obtain a driver license. Mental models of 130 college students (52 percent females) between 17 and 21 years-old (M = 18.68, SD = 0.80) were analyzed and compared to a subject matter expert (SME) referent structure using Pathfinder. A statistically significant correlation was found for mental model accuracy and moving violations (r = –.18, p <.05), but not for at-fault crashes. Evidence of incremental validity of mental models over commonly used predictors of moving violations (but not for at-fault crashes) was also found. Exploratory analyses revealed that driving knowledge, general mental ability (GMA), and emotional stability were the best predictors of mental model accuracy. Issues related to the measurement of mental models were extensively addressed. First, statistically significant correlations between GMA and several mental model properties (i.e., accuracy scores, within participant similarity, and within participant correlation) suggest that challenges inherent to the task for eliciting mental models may influence mental model scores which, in turn, may lower mental model reliability estimates. Also, the selection of model components (i.e., terms) and the identification of the "best" reference structure for deriving mental model accuracy scores are undoubtedly critical aspects of mental model-related research. Along with illustrating the decisions made in the context of this particular study, some suggestions for conducting mental model-related research are provided.

The bachelor´s thesis monitors an effect of motor traffic on selected species of game. The aim of this work was to review knowledge about protection of animals on surface communications and to survey and evaluate numbers of game killed on area of interest by motor traffic. Monitoring had been provided near České Budějovice in the southern Bohemia from August 2009 to October 2009. Killed individuals were documented by members of local hunting association, and on the basis of my own observations. The most frequently killed game species were brown hare and roe deer, from the other animal species common mole and both eastern and western hedgehog. But a lot of animals might not been found, so the results can be misinterpreted. The proposal of precaution which should improve the situation is an important part of the thesis.

The dissertation deals with History of technology in Sweden before, during and after the industrialization. A theory that technical actors have a growing influence on state technology chiefly owing to the industrialization is presented. Five case-studies the Göta Canal 1806-1818, The railway-issue 1829-1848, The issue of motor traffic 1900- 1916, the issue of air transport 1912-1925 and the issue of nuclear power 1945-1972 are examined in order to test the theory. The principal results of the dissertation are as follows: The process of decision- making owing to state technology is dealt with not only by technical and political actors but also with technical/political actors. They are generally of two kinds; actors representing the technology in question and with an added political platform and politicians with an interest in technology and/or a profession with a relation to the technology in question. To this you can add a during time growing and more and more influential state bureaucracy. The possible decision on some state technical issue is framed by political actors. Inside this frame technical/political actors supported by the state bureaucracy are shaping the issues. Along with this it is apparent that technical actors with no or weak contact with political arenas take little part in the shaping- process. Owing to the study the process of industrialization and/or the professionalisation of technicians has no or a poor impact on the process of decision- making. Instead the agricultural political representation acts as a strong body with great influence on the state technical development up to the issue of nuclear power. The political representants of technology and/or industry on the other hand are not able to take advantage of the political structure in order to influence the technical issues. This depends to some extent on lack of political conformity. Another cause is however that technology when put into practice has a multiplex content which from time to time put technical actors in conflict with one another. This is apparent in the issue of air transport and nuclear power and to some extent in the choise between canal and railway. When technicians are not united the political actors, especially the ones representing agriculture, reinforce their influence on the studied state technical issues.