COGNITIVE STYLE AND DRIVING SKILLS IN ADULTHOOD - IMPLICATIONS FOR LICENSING OF OLDER DRIVERS

Two hundred thirty-one individuals (20-39, 40-59, 60-74, 75+ years) participated in this study assessing relations between field dependence-independence (FDI) cognitive style and driving behaviors. Each participant completed two sessions: one in the laboratory (cognitive style, selective attention, reaction time, driving behavior questionnaire, computer driving skill) and one in the field (constructed driving course in parking lot, standard driving evaluation on road). Results revealed cognitive style and age differences in driving behaviors (eg relative to field independent drivers, field dependent drivers consistently exhibited longer reaction times; relative to other age groups, middle-aged adults obtained higher overall driving scores). However, regression analyses indicated that factors other than age (eg cognitive restructuring or disembedding ability, neuroticism) were generally the best predictors of driving behavior. (A)