Dimensionality and Construct Validity of a Video-Based, Objective Personality Test for the Assessment of Willingness to Take Risks in Road Traffic

This article reports on a study that investigated the willingness to take risks in traffic situations. The authors base their work on the theory of risk homeostasis. The study features films of different traffic situations with varying amounts of objective danger, mainly showing passing maneuvers and speed choice or traffic situations at intersections. A short written description of the situation is presented before each filmed segment. In tests with 243 people (both genders, different levels of education), the authors validated this measure as assessing a one-dimensional latent personality trait that can be interpreted as a subjectively accepted amount of risk. The authors briefly describe the construct validity of this method as compared to a number of other instruments. They conclude that the availability of a measure like this has the potential to enhance traffic safety through identification of potentially risky drivers who need additional retraining on specific aspects of their driving behavior.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00332941
• Authors:
  • Arendasy, Martin E
  • Hergovich, Andreas
  • Sommer, Markus
  • Bognar, Bettina
• Publication Date: 2005-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 309-320
• Serial:
  • Psychological Reports
  • Volume: 97
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Ammons Scientific
  • ISSN: 0033-2941

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: High risk drivers; Psychological aspects; Psychological tests; Reliability; Risk taking; Traffic safety; Validity
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01016434
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 31 2006 10:17AM