This study investigated differences in driver self-assessment among U.S., Spanish, and West German drivers. Subjects responded to 14 questions that used five-point semantic scales dealing with driver performance and abilities. Pairs of questions, concerning the same driving-related aspects, differed by requesting a self-assessment on an absolute basis and in relation to the average driver. The subjects in all three countries included younger, middle-aged, and older drivers of both sexes. The following are the main findings: (1) a majority of drivers in each country rated themselves positively on all driving-related scales studied; (2) significant effects of country, age group, and sex of the subjects were present for several of the scales; (3) some of these effects remained significant even after controlling for the differential driving experience. For example, U.S. drivers assessed themselves as safer than did West German and Spanish subjects, younger subjects less wise than middle-aged and older subjects, and males more relaxed than females.
[1]
J. W. Regan,et al.
Do people have inflated views of their own ability.
,
1975,
Journal of personality and social psychology.
[2]
O. Svenson.
ARE WE ALL LESS RISKY AND MORE SKILLFUL THAN OUR FELLOW DRIVERS
,
1981
.
[3]
M Sivak,et al.
Cross-cultural differences in driver risk-perception.
,
1989,
Accident; analysis and prevention.
[4]
M Sivak,et al.
Cross-cultural differences in driver risk-taking.
,
1989,
Accident; analysis and prevention.
[5]
I A McCormick,et al.
Comparative perceptions of driver ability--a confirmation and expansion.
,
1986,
Accident; analysis and prevention.
[6]
Jonathon D. Brown,et al.
Evaluations of Self and Others: Self-Enhancement Biases in Social Judgments
,
1986
.