Bias in older adults' driving self-assessments: The role of personality

Robert McPeek*, Austin Lee Nichols, Sherrilene Classen, Judith Breiner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract (may include machine translation)

A convenience sample of 50 older drivers (Mage = 73.14, SD = 4.85) completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) Step III™ instrument and rated their own driving abilities (compared to all other drivers, same age drivers, and their own driving 20 years prior) and their ability to perform 68 specific driving-related behaviors. Each subject's driving performance was also evaluated in a comprehensive on-road assessment conducted by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist, who rated the same 68 driving behaviors as well as driving performance. Drivers identified by the MBTI Step III instrument as Extraverted, Sensing, and (above median) Confident rated their driving significantly more favorably than Introverts, Intuitives, and below median Confidence drivers. Step III Sufficiency scales were associated with on-road performance: drivers with scores indicating low Confidence, low Stamina, or critical high levels of Compensatory Strain received significantly lower evaluations. Drivers with a Sensing preference or critical Strain score rated their driving significantly more favorably than evaluators did. These findings present preliminary evidence for the utility of personality assessments in identifying self-serving bias in driving self-evaluations, essential for safe self-regulation of driving.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)579-590
Number of pages12
JournalTransportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
Volume14
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Confidence
  • Driving
  • Extraversion
  • Older adults
  • Self-evaluation

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