Citation

Spitzenstetter F, Moessinger M. Can. J. Aging 2008; 27(2): 159-167.

Vernacular Title

Personnes agees et perception des risques en matiere de conduite automobile : les

Affiliation

Equipe de recherche en psychologie sociale, Faculté de Psychologie et des sciences de l'éducation, Strasbourg, France. Florence.spitzenstetter@psycho-ulp.u-strasbg.fr

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Cambridge Press)

DOI

10.3138/cja.27.2.159

PMID

18845511

Abstract

People frequently express comparative optimism ; that is, they believe they are less likely than average to experience negative events. The aim of the present study is, first, to observe whether people of more than 65 years are still optimists when they evaluate driving-related risks; and second, to test the assumption that older drivers show less optimism when they compare themselves with average-age drivers than when they compare themselves with same-age drivers. Our results reveal that drivers of more than 65 years do, indeed, express comparative optimism, but, contrary to our expectation, only in a limited number of cases does the age of the comparison target appear to have an effect. These results are particularly discussed in terms of self-image enhancement.

Language: fr