Citation

Goldstein LG, Mosel JN. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1958; 172: 9-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1958, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the basic variables, or dimensions, underlying drivers' attitudes. Four factors were hypothesized: (1) appreciation of hazard, (2) social responsibility or conformity, (3) attitude toward the vehicle itself and its operation, and (4) attitude toward speed and speed limits. The broad plan of the study consisted of: (1) development of an instrument to measure attitudes toward as many as possible of the various aspects of the driving activity, (2) collection of data on the attitude measures on a group of drivers whose motivation to manipulate their responses could be minimized, and (3) factor analysis of the attitude measured, including rotation to psychological meaningfulness. A 186-item attitude inventory was developed to measure the 14 aspects of drivers' attitudes considered to cover the domain. A short- cut factor analysis of the items was achieved by factorizing the inter-cluster correlations and extending this solution to all of the items by means of the method developed by dwyer. Attitude cluster scores were correlated with back- ground and experience variables for 69 women and 246 men separately. Apparently, good attitudes towards speed may deter women from violating speed laws. Women's experiences with cops by way of violations and accidents seemed to promote unfavorable attitudes towards cops. Better attitudes towards rules and regulations and cops was correlated with age of men. Older men have better attitudes. Women's mean scores were significantly higher than men's on attitude toward speed and attitude toward rules and regulations. The men's mean score was significantly higher on causes of accidents cluster.