The influence of achievement goals on objective driving behavior

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 27;17(10):e0276587. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276587. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Investigating psychological characteristics through self-reported measures (e.g., anger, sensation seeking) and dynamic behaviors through objective measures (e.g., speed, 2D acceleration, GPS position etc.) may allow us to better understand the behavior of at-risk drivers. To assess drivers' motivation, the theoretical framework of achievement goals has been studied recently. These achievement goals can influence the decision-making and behaviors of individuals engaged in driving. The four achievement goals in driving are: seeking to improve or to drive as well as possible (mastery-approach), to outperform other drivers (performance-approach), to avoid driving badly (mastery-avoidance), and to avoid being the worst driver (performance-avoidance). Naturalistic Driving Studies (NDS) provide access to the objective measurements of data not accessible through self-reported measurements (i.e., speed, accelerations, GPS position). Three dynamic criteria have been developed to characterize the behavior of motorists objectively: driving events, time spent above acceleration thresholds (longitudinal and transversal), and the extent of dynamic demands. All these criteria have been measured in different road contexts (e.g., plain). The aim of this study was to examine the predictive role of the four achievement goals on these objective driving behaviors. 266 drivers (96 women, 117 men) took part in the study, and 4 242 482 km was recorded during 8 months. Simultaneously, they completed the Achievement Goals in Driving Questionnaire. The main results highlighted that mastery-approach goals negatively predicted hard braking and the extent of dynamic demands on plain and hilly roads. Mastery-approach goals seem to be the most protective goals in driving. Future research on the promotion of mastery-approach goals in driving may be able to modify the behavior of at-risk drivers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Achievement
  • Automobile Driving* / psychology
  • Female
  • Goals*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

MN was supported by the French National Association and Technology (CIFRE 2019/1060) https://www.anrt.asso.fr/fr/cifre-35654. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. MN was also supported by “Manufacture Française des Pneumatiques Michelin” https://www.michelin.fr/. MN receives a salary from Michelin. The funder Michelin, had a role in the data collection. The others authors received no specific funding for this work. There was no additional external funding received for this study.