The effect of age and personality on the main cognitive processes in drivers

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is the evaluation of how the decline of cognitive abilities caused by aging is mode rated by biologically determined personality dimensions: Neuroticism (N) and Extraversion (E). Materials and Methods:The research was conducted with the participation of 160 men in good physical health, professional drivers, aged 20-70 (Mean = 40, SD = 11). Personality traits were measured using Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire -Revised (EPQR), while Ravens Progressive Matrices, Go/noGo Task and Peripheral Perception Test were used to evaluate cognitive pro cesses. The score of Ravens Progressive Matrices was treated as a control variable. Results: The results of the study, based on a Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis, indicate that besides the intelligence level, age is the best predictor of cognitive functioning level and that this influence is additionally moderated by the N trait level as well as, less frequently, by the interaction of age and E. Conclusion: This means that high N trait level increases the influence of age on cognitive functions decline. When the N trait level was low, the age differences in measures of cognitive performance were not sig nificant. Thus, the level of N trait may play an important role in the process of cognitive aging. The results are discussed in the context of a driving safety research.

Assessing Psychological Fitness to Drive for Intoxicated Drivers: Relationships of Cognitive Abilities, Fluid Intelligence, and Personality Traits

“…Moreover, our results are supported by recent studies which found significant associations between neuroticism, a construct which emotional instability is based on, and decreased cognitive performances (e.g., Sutin et al, 2019;Biernacki and Lewkowicz, 2020). Additionally, our results are supported by Biernacki and Tarnowski (2011), who found out that the sympathetic nervous system is activated more easily in subjects with higher emotional instability, resulting in a cascade of stress hormones being released and thus impairing cognitive performance (e.g., Wolf et al, 2001). Following this, the chronic experience of stress and the corresponding hormones are also linked to damaging the structure of brain regions, for example the hippocampus, which is responsible for cognitive tasks (e.g., Jackson et al, 2011).…”

Simulator sickness and its measurement with Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ)

“…Przykładem takiego zastosowania symulatorów mogą być badania nad uwarunkowaniami powstawania błędów w kierowaniu pojazdów przez osoby starsze [10][11][12]. Badania te wykazały, że w przypadku starszych kierowców szczególną barierę stanowią warunki, które są związane z obciążeniem poznawczym (wykonywanie skrętu w lewo, włączanie się do ruchu, pokonanie nieoznakowanego skrzyżowania).…”

“…Przykładem takiego zachowania jest wcześniejsze zaplanowanie podróży, uwzględnienie potencjalnych trudności na drodze itp. Takie planowanie pozwala więc na minimalizowanie ryzykownych decyzji [10][11][12].…”

The Big Five Personality Factors as Predictors of Driving Status in Older Adults

“…They reported that sensation-seeking was associated with greater driving violations and tickets, and undercontrolled temperament was associated with overall risky driving. Biernacki and Tarnowski (2011) studied 160 Polish drivers and found neuroticism had a moderating effect on driving performance, such that neuroticism increased the influence of age on declines in cognitive driving performance tasks. Finally, McPeek, Nichols, Classen, and Breiner (2011) studied a convenience sample of 50 older drivers, using an on-road assessment of driving behaviors and performance, self-rated driving ability, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Step III instrument.…”