Son Jeong-rak, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), has published a new book presenting a psychological approach to defensive driving based on mindfulness, self-compassion, and empathy.

JBNU Press recently announced the publication of Professor Emeritus Son Jeong-rak's book, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Empathy: Psychological Flexibility for Defensive Driving. The book is notable for proposing psychological practices that extend beyond road safety to enhance everyday well-being.

In this work, the author focuses on helping all drivers achieve safer, more secure lives by practicing defensive driving through psychological flexibility techniques. He emphasizes that self-compassion can extend into consideration for others, and that strengthened empathic ability can contribute to increased happiness for individuals and society as a whole.

The book defines defensive driving not merely as a driving skill but as a 'psychological capacity' for actively responding to potential hazards on the road. To this end, it highlights the role of attention as a key factor in regulating driving behavior and links it to a mindful state, awareness, and rapid decision-making in the here-and-now context.

Furthermore, it systematically analyzes, based on domestic and international evidence-based research, how the three psychological flexibility techniques of mindfulness, self-compassion, and empathy can be applied in actual defensive driving. On this basis, the book proposes a Mindful Defensive Driving model applicable to driver education programs and concretely presents related metaphors and creative writing methods to enhance practical applicability.

Professor Emeritus Son Jeong-rak is a clinical psychologist who earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at Sungkyunkwan University. He carried out 36 years of teaching and research in clinical, health, and personality psychology at JBNU. He served as a visiting professor at Duke University in the United States and has held positions including president of the Korean Psychological Association and president of the Korean Society of Health Psychology. He has been recognized for his academic achievements, including receiving the Excellent Science and Technology Paper Award and being named a KPA Fellow by the Korean Psychological Association. He continues to engage actively in research, writing, and lecturing.