Individual Differences and the Perception of Traffic Signs

The study focused on the relationship between field dependence and the ability to perceive traffic signs in embedded and disembedded contexts as measured by verbal reaction times. Intercorrelations among the reaction times, personality measures, and driving record items were also tested. Twenty-eight females were blocked into four quartiles according to their score on the Group Embedded Figures Test. Subjects completed the traffic-sign task, the Eysenck Personality Inventory, and a driving experience questionnaire. Field-dependent subjects had longer reaction times to embedded traffic signs and more traffic accidents than did field-independent subjects. Also, extraverts had longer reaction times to the embedded traffic signs, more accidents, and more traffic convictions than introverts. No relationships were found for neuroticism.