| dc.description.abstract | The aim of the current study is to examine the possible relationship between socioeconomic status, the personality trait sense of entitlement and driver attitudes and behaviour. Previous research have shown that individuals high in sense of entitlement are less inclined to abide by the rules and norms that normally govern social interactions.
They might be aware of what the rules are, but they see themselves as exempt from these rules due to their perceived special status. They also show increased levels of aggression in situations with perceived ego threat, and show less concern for the welfare of others. The same kinds of behaviour has also been associated with having a high socioeconomic position, and it could be that these variables are related. The results are based on the responses to a mail questionnaire survey carried out among a representative sample of the Norwegian public (n = 159). Sense of entitlement was found to predict attitudes towards violations and speeding, self-reported violations and aggressive behaviour in traffic, in addition to positive behaviour towards other road users.
Unexpectedly, an inverse relationship between socioeconomic status and sense of entitlement was found. Income had a direct effect on attitudes and behaviour, and moderated the effect of entitlement on attitudes towards violations. Sense of entitlement and socioeconomic status could be important predictors of driver behaviour and road
crash involvement. Socioeconomic status has been overlooked in traffic research, and should be a topic of future | nb_NO |
