Personality as a predictor of driving performance: An exploratory study

The objective of the study was to examine the role of psychological type in older driver performance. A convenience sample of 50 older adults was prospectively enrolled in the study. Each completed a demographic profile, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) Step III™ instrument, a self-reported Safe Driving Behaviors Measure (SDBM), clinical tests and a standardized on-road driving evaluation yielding a fail/pass determination and Sum of Maneuvers Score (SMS). Participants (M age = 72.96, SD = 4.78) who had Extraversion and Judging preferences were better drivers than those with Introversion or Perceiving preferences. Those with Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N) preferences rated themselves better on the SDBM (S = 317.62, N = 305.33; t(48) = 2.19, p = .03). Those with Introvert preferences failed the on-road course with 71% sensitivity and 76% specificity with area under the curve 76%, p = .03. The findings provide the basis for further research investigating personality and driving. Specifically, if the main findings are consistent in a representative sample of older drivers, personality testing may be added to a driving assessment battery. Future research must build on these findings to more clearly identify the risk associated with psychological type and examine how personality profiles can be used to keep older drivers on the road longer and more safely.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847811000441
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13698478
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Classen, Sherrilene
  • Nichols, Austin Lee
  • McPeek, Robert
  • Breiner, Judith F
• Publication Date: 2011-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 381-389
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1369-8478
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Behavior; Personality; Psychological aspects
• Identifier Terms: Myers Briggs Type Indicator
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driving performance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01350463
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 25 2011 2:39PM