Bias in older adults’ driving self-assessments: The role of personality

A convenience sample of 50 older drivers (Mage = 73.14, SD = 4.85) completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) Step III™ instrument and rated their own driving abilities (compared to all other drivers, same age drivers, and their own driving 20 years prior) and their ability to perform 68 specific driving-related behaviors. Each subject’s driving performance was also evaluated in a comprehensive on-road assessment conducted by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist, who rated the same 68 driving behaviors as well as driving performance. Drivers identified by the MBTI Step III instrument as Extraverted, Sensing, and (above median) Confident rated their driving significantly more favorably than Introverts, Intuitives, and below median Confidence drivers. Step III Sufficiency scales were associated with on-road performance: drivers with scores indicating low Confidence, low Stamina, or critical high levels of Compensatory Strain received significantly lower evaluations. Drivers with a Sensing preference or critical Strain score rated their driving significantly more favorably than evaluators did. These findings present preliminary evidence for the utility of personality assessments in identifying self-serving bias in driving self-evaluations, essential for safe self-regulation of driving.

► Older drivers identified by the MBTI Step III instrument as Extraverted rated themselves better drivers than Introverts did.
► Sensing preference older drivers rated themselves as better drivers than Intuitives, but not after taking a road test.
► Drivers with high Confidence rated their driving significantly more favorably and scored higher on a road test.
► Drivers with very high levels of Strain significantly overrated their driving ability compared to road test results.