Empirical tests of a model of determinants of script-based driving choice

Abstract

We investigated the hypothesis that a positive attitude towards driving leads to frequent choices of driving which over time make the choices less deliberate or script-based, that is, based on the minimal information required to retrieve scripts stored in memory. In a questionnaire study (study 1) (n=60), the fit of a structural model estimated with maximum-likelihood methods available in LISREL8 confirmed the hypothesized causal relations between rated attitude towards driving, self-reported frequency of driving choice, and degree of script-based driving choice. In Study 2, it was found that participants' (n=48) attitudes towards driving correlated with fictitious driving choice in a laboratory task whereas self-reported frequency of driving choice and degree of script-based driving choice did not. Finally, in Study 3 non-drivers (n=50) repeatedly made fictitious choices between driving or walking and choices of destination. After repeated choices of driving, driving choices were as expected made more frequently when destinations were within walking distance.