HOW LOCUS OF CONTROL NEED FOR AFFILIATION THE BIG FIVE FACTORS AND PERCEIVED RISK RELATE TO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Erin McLaughlin (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Advisor

John Cope

Abstract: The National Safety Council (2010) estimates that at least 100 000 car crashes every year involve drivers who are texting. However 52 percent of US drivers ages 18-29 have reported texting or e-mailing while driving at least once in the last 30 days (Novelli 2010). In order to effectively deter drivers from text messaging it is imperative to understand why drivers engage in this behavior. This study surveyed college students regarding texting while driving behaviors (initiating texts replying to texts reading texts or not texting while driving) and texting frequencies. The study measured participant's locus of control need for affiliation and Big Five Factor affinities as well as their perceived risk of texting while driving. Locus of control orientation extraversion agreeableness emotional stability openness to experience and perceived risk were found to be related to texting while driving. 

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Date: 2013

Keywords

Communication, Big Five Factors, Driving, Locus of control, Need for affiliation, Texting

Email this document to