The influence of the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory on risk perception and intentions to speed in young male and female drivers

Logan, Emily; Kaye, Sherrie-Anne; Lewis, Ioni · 2019 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2019.105291

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Summary

This study investigates how individual differences in personality, specifically within the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (r-RST), influence risk perception and intentions to speed among young drivers. Speeding is a major contributor to fatal traffic crashes, particularly among drivers aged 17–25, with males exhibiting higher rates of risky driving than females. While previous research utilized the original RST, this study applies the revised framework to examine the distinct roles of the Behavioural Activation System (BAS) and the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS). The BAS, sensitive to reward, comprises four processes: Reward Interest, Goal-Drive Persistence, Reward Reactivity, and Impulsivity. The FFFS, sensitive to punishment, mediates fear and avoidance. The researchers hypothesized that stronger BAS traits would lead to lower risk perceptions and higher speeding intentions, while stronger FFFS traits would result in higher risk perceptions and lower intentions. The study involved 367 young licensed Australian drivers (159 females, 208 males) aged 17–25. Participants completed an online survey assessing demographics, past speeding behavior, risk perception, and intentions to speed in a 60 km/h zone. Personality traits were measured using the 74-item Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory-Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ). The analysis focused on the four BAS subscales and the FFFS, excluding the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) as it was not relevant to the hypotheses. Mediation analyses were conducted to determine if risk perception mediated the relationship between r-RST traits and speeding intentions, with separate models for males and females due to significant gender differences in speeding intentions. The results revealed gender-specific effects contrary to some initial expectations. For females, stronger Impulsivity was associated with lower risk perceptions and higher intentions to speed, mediated by risk perception. Conversely, for males, stronger Goal-Drive Persistence was linked to higher risk perceptions and lower intentions to speed. Contrary to the hypotheses, the BAS processes of Reward Interest and Reward Reactivity, as well as the FFFS, were not significant predictors of risk perception or speeding intentions for either gender. Additionally, males reported significantly higher intentions to speed than females overall. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of r-RST by demonstrating that the four underlying BAS processes have unique and distinct influences on speeding behavior, rather than acting as a unified construct. Specifically, Impulsivity drives risky intentions in young women, while Goal-Drive Persistence promotes caution in young men. The study highlights the importance of analyzing specific BAS components and considering gender differences when developing interventions to reduce speeding among young drivers.

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Topics

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• sensation seeking
• risk taking
• sex gender
• behavioral adaptation risk compensation
• decision making risk perception
• novice drivers

Information type

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• Theoretical Contribution: theory or model