Validation of the German version of the Driver Skill Inventory (DSI) and the Driver Social Desirability Scales (DSDS). (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ostapczuk, Martin; Joseph, Robin; Pufal, Janine; Musch, Jochen
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 45(2017)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Driver Skill Inventory -- Driver Social Desirability Scales -- German validation -- Personality -- Socially desirable responding; Automobile drivers -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Automobile driving -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 629.283019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2016.12.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8478

Abstract

Highlights: The German DSI and DSDS were validated in more than 1000 car drivers. Both inventories proved reliable and showed the expected 2-factor structure. Convergent and discriminant validity were established for both inventories. The German DSI is not contaminated by social desirability to an appreciable extent. Abstract: The psychometric properties of the new German versions of the Driver Skill Inventory (DSI) and the Driver Social Desirability Scales (DSDS) were examined. The DSI is a self-report measure assessing perceptual-motor skills and the safety motive as two important aspects of driving behavior. Self-report measures, however, are susceptible to socially desirable responding (SDR) which is why both general and specific driving-related SDR scales have been developed: Based on the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR), the DSDS taps Driver Impression Management and Driver Self-Deception as two important aspects of SDR. In two validation studies with less experienced ( N = 130) and experienced drivers (N = 1199), both inventories showed the expected two-factor structure and satisfactory internal consistency. In Study 1, self-ratings were compared with and confirmed by peer-ratings. In both studies, we accumulated evidence of convergent and discriminant validity for the German version of the DSI by correlating it with demographic, driving-specific, and personality measures, including the Big Five, Type A behavior, and sensation seeking. The DSI seemed to be only marginally contaminated by SDR.