Citation

Söllner M, Florack A. Transp. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 2019; 60: 217-227.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.trf.2018.10.016

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Research has shown that older drivers often apply effective self-regulatory strategies to cope with decreasing abilities. However, self-serving biases might prevent older drivers from identifying the full scope of critical behaviors, making it difficult for them to determine when they should stop driving. To overcome such self-serving biases, feedback from passengers such as relatives or friends is crucial. Because feedback in critical driving situations is likely to elicit negative emotions and is not easy to provide, we studied factors that might facilitate or impede the presentation of feedback in such situations. In particular, we hypothesized that positive age stereotypes would foster the belief that feedback can lead to behavioral change and would thus increase the likelihood that feedback would be provided. We asked 221 individuals between 40 and 60 years of age in a survey whether they had observed a decline in the driving abilities of an older person and whether they had approached this person to talk to her or him about the decline. 110 participants indicated that they had observed such a decline and filled out a questionnaire designed to test our hypotheses. 65 participants indicated that they had provided feedback, 45 participants stated that they had avoided this. Additionally, both groups were asked about their reasons for giving or avoiding feedback. The results support the role of positive age stereotypes as a determinant of effectiveness beliefs and the giving of feedback in the observed situation. In addition, the results indicate that the effects of effectiveness beliefs on feedback behavior are mediated by the intention to provide feedback and thoughts about implementation strategies.

Language: en

Keywords

Age stereotypes; Driving abilities; Feedback; Older drivers