The Role of Affect in Predicting Social Behaviors: The Case of Road Traffic Violations

TLDR

Research has linked road traffic violations to accident liability and has investigated the motivational factors and social psychological implications of these behaviors. The authors conducted two studies using the Driver Behavior Questionnaire to identify violation types and examine the influence of affect. Factor analyses identified three violation categories—errors, highway code violations, and interpersonally aggressive violations—and positive affect strongly predicted all three.

Abstract

Increasing support for the relationship between road traffic violations and accident liability has led to research focusing on the motivational factors that promote these behaviors. In Study 1, a large sample of young (17–40 years) drivers were asked to complete the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ; Parker, Reason, Manstead, & Stradling, 1995). Factor analysis revealed 3 factors: errors, highway code violations, and more interpersonally aggressive violations. In Study 2, a smaller sample of drivers was recruited (17–70 years) to investigate further this distinction between different types of violation and also the role of affect in predicting behavior. Factor analysis of a modified DBQ revealed 3 types of violation. Measures of positive affect were found to be good predictors of all 3 violation types. Discussion focuses on social psychological and applied implications.