The role of social cognition in perceived thresholds for transport mode change

Author's accepted version (postprint).This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in Transport Policy on 18/09/2019.Available online: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X18305560This article is based on a study that investigated social cognitive psychological factors associated with economic thresholds related to using public or other sustainable transport modes. A survey was conducted using a random sample of the Norwegian population living in the six largest urban regions (n = 1039). The respondents were asked to indicate the monthly increase in car taxes and fees that they would perceive necessary to make them use sustainable transport modes instead of their private car. The findings revealed that those who perceived themselves as definitive car users (strongly reluctant to change transport mode) reported low tolerance of push measures, low awareness of and ascription of responsibility for the consequences of car use, and weak environmental norms. Environmental norms, attitudes towards transport and push measure tolerance were the strongest predictors of the respondents belonging to either the lowest or the highest threshold groups. The authors conclude that measures aimed at increasing the costs of car use and improving the accessibility of public transport in urban areas could be supplemented by social cognitive factors.acceptedVersio

Socioeconomic status, sense of entitlement and self-reported driver attitudes and behaviour

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 futureFulltekst tilgjengelig 2016-09-1

Transport priorities, risk perception and worry associated with mode use and preferences among Norwegian commuters

There is currently scant research on the role of transport priorities, risk perception and worry for travel mode use and preferences. The present study aims to examine these factors in relation to mode use and preferences among Norwegian commuters. A web-based survey was conducted in a randomly obtained representative sample of daily commuters in the extended greater Oslo area (n = 690). The results showed that those who prioritized efficiency and flexibility tended to commute by car, while those who prioritized safety and comfort used public (e.g. metro, tram, and train) or active (e.g. walking and cycling) transport. In a free choice scenario, the respondents who prioritized flexibility reported a preference for using a car, whereas those who prioritized safety and comfort preferred public and active transport for their commuter travels. Risk perception of high impact events, such as terrorism and major accidents, as well as risk perception related to personal impact risks (theft, violence etc.) were related to car use on commuter travels. Transport-related worry exerted weak influences on mode use and preferences. Increased speed on rail transport and more frequent departures may be effective in reducing car use on commuter travels. Risk communication should focus on highlighting the low risk of experiencing security and safety issues in the public transport sector, and this message should be complemented by efforts to reduce the probability of negative events affecting public transport

The role of social cognition in perceived thresholds for transport mode change

This article is based on a study that investigated social cognitive psychological factors associated with economic thresholds related to using public or other sustainable transport modes. A survey was conducted using a random sample of the Norwegian population living in the six largest urban regions (n = 1039). The respondents were asked to indicate the monthly increase in car taxes and fees that they would perceive necessary to make them use sustainable transport modes instead of their private car. The findings revealed that those who perceived themselves as definitive car users (strongly reluctant to change transport mode) reported low tolerance of push measures, low awareness of and ascription of responsibility for the consequences of car use, and weak environmental norms. Environmental norms, attitudes towards transport and push measure tolerance were the strongest predictors of the respondents belonging to either the lowest or the highest threshold groups. The authors conclude that measures aimed at increasing the costs of car use and improving the accessibility of public transport in urban areas could be supplemented by social cognitive factors

The role of social cognition in perceived thresholds for transport mode change

This article is based on a study that investigated social cognitive psychological factors associated with economic thresholds related to using public or other sustainable transport modes. A survey was conducted using a random sample of the Norwegian population living in the six largest urban regions (n = 1039). The respondents were asked to indicate the monthly increase in car taxes and fees that they would perceive necessary to make them use sustainable transport modes instead of their private car. The findings revealed that those who perceived themselves as definitive car users (strongly reluctant to change transport mode) reported low tolerance of push measures, low awareness of and ascription of responsibility for the consequences of car use, and weak environmental norms. Environmental norms, attitudes towards transport and push measure tolerance were the strongest predictors of the respondents belonging to either the lowest or the highest threshold groups. The authors conclude that measures aimed at increasing the costs of car use and improving the accessibility of public transport in urban areas could be supplemented by social cognitive factors