Rubén Daniel Ledesma

Individual differences in driver inattention: the attention-related driving errors scale.

Objectives: Driver inattention is one of the most common causes of traffic collisions. The aim of this work was to study the reliability and validity of the Attention-Related Driving Errors Scale (ARDES), a novel self-report measure that assesses individual differences in driving errors resulting from failures of attention. The relationship between driver inattention and general psychological variables that could be connected to these phenomena was also explored. Methods: Participants were a convenience sample of drivers drawn from the general population of Mar del Plata, Argentina (n = 301). Drivers responded to ARDES items, a sociodemographic questionnaire, and several validation measures. The internal structure of ARDES was assessed by factor analysis and internal consistency analysis. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to examine differences in ARDES scores due to sociodemographic variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between ARDES and self-reported traffic crashes and tickets. Pearsons correlations were calculated between ARDES and validation measures. Results: Factor analysis suggested the existence of one underlying factor. The 19 items proved to have discriminative power. The scales internal consistency was high (Cronbachs alpha = .86). ARDES discriminated those who had reported road crashes and traffic tickets from those who had not. Correlations with validation measures were robust and theoretically consistent. Findings suggested that driving errors are strongly associated with general error proneness, lack of attention when performing everyday activities, and dissociative personality traits. Conclusion: The present study provides preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of the ARDES scores. Further validation studies should be conducted applying other methodologies and sources of information, such as traffic records, driving simulations, or naturalistic methodologies.

Attentional Networks Functioning, Age, and Attentional Lapses While Driving

Objective: Based on Posners (1994) model of attentional functions, the relationship between age and personal proneness to attention-related errors while driving and the functioning of the 3 attentional networks were explored by means of attentional behavioral measures and self-report data. Methods: A sample of 55 drivers was drawn from the general population of Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Attention Network Test for Interactions (ANTI) (Callejas et al. 2004) task was used to obtain behavioral measures of the attentional networks, and we used the Attention-Related Driving Error Scale (ARDES) (Ledesma et al. 2010) questionnaire to obtain a self-report measure of attention-related driving errors. Results: Drivers reporting the greatest propensity to experience attention-related errors showed an overall slowdown in performance, less endogenous preparation for high = priority warning signs, and a better response to conflict in the presence of valid cues than drivers less prone to attention-related errors while driving. Older participants showed a slowdown in performance, less endogenous preparation for high-priority warning signs, and worse cognitive control when solving conflict in comparison with younger drivers. Conclusions: We suggest that each group variable, attention-related error proneness and age, shows a particular combination of attentional network functioning that implies different ways of being distracted, which have different practical implications for safe driving. It can be inferred that drivers who are more prone to commit attentional errors while driving run less risk in situations in which they can deal with response conflict in the presence of valid cues because of the particular way in which their attentional networks are combined when a valid cue is present, could serve to compensate, with a better response conflict, their general slowdown and less endogenous preparedness for high-priority signs. It can be inferred that older drivers might show a reduction of the general state of alertness to signs that indicate the presence of a dangerous driving situation and in solving conflict in traffic circumstances.

A Study on the Relationship Between Personality and Driving Styles

Objective: Research on driving behavior and personality traits is a key factor in the development of driver-oriented safety interventions. However, research is fragmented and a multidimensional perspective is lacking. The primary aim of this study is to assess the multiple relationships between driving styles and personality traits using the alternative 5-factor model. A secondary goal is to determine whether these relationships vary by gender and age. Methods: Data were collected from a sample of 908 Argentine drivers. Driving styles were assessed using the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory. Personality was assessed with the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ-50-CC; Aluja et al. 2006) questionnaire. Results: Different patterns of personality are associated with different driving styles. These relationships appear to be robust with respect to gender and age; however, in some cases these variables did influence the observed relationships. Conclusion: The results provide researchers with a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships between personality traits and driving styles. Practical prevention measures are discussed.

Using Interactive Graphics to Teach Multivariate Data Analysis to Psychology Students

This paper discusses the use of interactive graphics to teach multivariate data analysis to Psychology students. Three techniques are explored through separate activities: parallel coordinates/boxplots; principal components/exploratory factor analysis; and cluster analysis. With interactive graphics, students may perform important parts of the analysis “by hand,” using techniques such as pointing at, selecting and changing the colors of the points/observations. Our experience demonstrates that this approach is very useful when teaching an intermediate/advanced course on multivariate data analysis to students of Psychology, who tend to have low to moderate proficiency in Mathematics.

Classical item and test analysis with graphics: The ViSta-CITA program

Current advances in test development theory have mostly been influenced by item response theory. Notwithstanding this, classical test theory still plays a major part in the development of tests for applied educational and behavioral research. This article describes ViSta-CITA, a computer program that implements a set of classical item and test analysis methods that incorporate innovative graphics whose aim is to provide deeper insight into analysis results. Such an aim is achieved through the SpreadPlot, a graphical method designed to display multiple, simultaneous, interactive views of the analysis results. It behaves on a dynamic basis, so that users’ changes (e.g., selecting a subset of items) are automatically updated in the graphical windows showing the analysis results. Moreover, ViSta-CITA is freely available, and its code is open to modifications or additions by the user. Features such as these constitute useful tools for research and teaching purposes related to test development.

Evaluación del Estilo Personal del Terapeuta: Presentación de una Versión Abreviada del Cuestionario EPT-C

El Estilo Personal del Terapeuta (EPT) se conceptualiza como un constructo multidimensional que esta presente en todo proceso terapeutico. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es presentar una version abreviada del cuestionario EPT-C y proporcionar nuevas pruebas sobre la validez de este instrumento como herramienta para la evaluacion del constructo. Se administro el EPT-C a una muestra de 461 psicoterapeutas argentinos. Se analizo la validez de constructo del cuestionario mediante Analisis Factorial Confirmatorio, se estudio la relacion entre la version breve y la original, y se evaluo la capacidad del instrumento para discriminar a los diferentes grupos de terapeutas en variables de relevancia para el proceso y los resultados de la psicoterapia. Los resultados indicaron un buen ajuste entre el modelo de medida pentafactorial del EPT-C y las dimensiones del constructo teorico. El cuestionario EPT-C aporta una medida sensible para detectar diferencias entre grupos de terapeutas a partir de varias caracteristicas de los mismos.

Adjective checklist to assess the big five personality factors in the Argentine population.

The aim of this work was to develop an adjective checklist to assess the Big Five personality factors in the Argentine population. The new instrument was administered to pilot (n= 112), validation (n= 372), and replication (n= 309) samples. The final version of the checklist included 67 adjectives encompassing its 5 dimensions. Factor analysis results were consistent with the Five-factor model. Internal consistency of scales was very good and convergent correlations with the Big Five Inventory (BFI; John, Donahue, & Kentle, 1991) were substantial. Face validity, as evaluated by 2 independent raters, was good. Preliminary evidence of validity for the checklist is presented. Finally, the Adjective Checklist for Personality Assessment and BFI are compared, taking into consideration their psychometric properties in our cultural context. Study limitations and future research are discussed.

Motorcycle helmet use in Mar del Plata, Argentina: prevalence and associated factors

Injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes constitute a growing problem in Argentina and other Latin American countries. The problem is aggravated because helmet use is not widespread. This observational study analysed the prevalence of helmet use and related factors in a city in Argentina. The sample consisted of 2542 observations of motorcyclists. The results show an incidence of helmet use of 69.8% for drives and 43.4% for passengers. Helmet use was greater among women. Environmental and temporal conditions were related with the rate of helmet use. The findings indicate a considerable increase in helmet use with respect to prior years, providing evidence in favour of government policies. However, the number of motorcycles in circulation has tripled in the past five years, and therefore, the public health impact of injuries due to motorcycle crashes persists.

Measuring individual differences in driver inattention: further validation of the attention-related driving errors scale

Objective: The aim of this research was (a) to study driver inattention as a trait-like variable and (b) to provide new evidence of validity for the Attention-Related Driving Errors Scale (ARDES). Background: Driving inattention is approached from an individual differences perspective. We are interested in how drivers vary in their propensity to experience failures of attention and in the methods to measure these differences. Method: In a first sample (n = 301), we tested, via confirmatory factor analysis, a new theoretical model for the ARDES. In a second sample (n = 201), we evaluated the relationship between inattention and internal and external sources of distraction and social desirability bias in ARDES responses. A subsample (n = 65) was reevaluated to study temporal stability of the ARDES scores. Results: Errors measured by the ARDES can be classified according to the driving task level at which they occur (navigation, maneuvering, or control). Differences in ARDES scores based on collision history were observed. ARDES was related to internal sources of distraction and was independent of the level of exposure to distracting activities. Test-retest showed a high degree of stability in ARDES scores. Low correlations were found with a social desirability measure. Conclusion: ARDES appears to measure a personal trait that remains relatively stable over time and is relatively independent of distracting activities. New evidence of validity emerged for this self-report. Application: ARDES can be used to measure individual differences in driving inattention and to help tailor preventive interventions for inattentive drivers. It can serve as an instrument of driver self-assessment in educational and training contexts.

Implicit attitudes and road safety behaviors. The helmet-use case

We studied the role of implicit attitudes on road safety behaviors. We also explored the methodological benefits of using implicit measures to complement conventional self-reporting instruments. The results suggest that: (a) implicit attitudes are capable of predicting observed differences in the use of protective devices (helmet use); (b) implicit attitudes correlate with the emotional component of the explicit attitudes (e.g., perception of comfort-discomfort), but appear to be independent of the more cognitive components (e.g., perceived benefits); (c) the emotional component of the explicit attitudes appears to be the major predictor of behavior; and (d) implicit measures seem to be more robust against social desirability biases, while explicit measure are more sensitive to such bias. We conclude that indirect and automatic measures serve as an important complement to conventional direct measures (self-reports) because they provide information on psychological processes that are qualitatively different (implicit) and can also be more robust when it comes to response bias.