A Behavioral Economic Analysis of Demand for Texting while Driving

The overarching goal of the present study was to determine whether a behavioral economic framework of demand analysis is applicable to texting while driving. To this end, we developed a novel hypothetical task in which participants receive a text message while driving, and they rated the likelihood...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Psychological record 2019-06, Vol.69 (2), p.225-237
Main Authors: Hayashi, Yusuke, Friedel, Jonathan E., Foreman, Anne M., Wirth, Oliver
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automobiles
Behavior
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Behavioural Psychology of Cell Phone Use
College students
Demand analysis
Driving
Economic aspects
Economic conditions
Motor vehicle drivers
Novels
Original Article
Psychology
Social aspects
Social interaction
Supply and demand
Text messaging
Texting while driving
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Summary:The overarching goal of the present study was to determine whether a behavioral economic framework of demand analysis is applicable to texting while driving. To this end, we developed a novel hypothetical task in which participants receive a text message while driving, and they rated the likelihood of replying to a text message immediately versus waiting to reply until arriving at a destination when the fine for texting while driving ranged from $1 to $300. The scenario presented two delays to a destination (15 min and 60 min). For drivers who self-reported a higher frequency of texting while driving the demand for social interaction from texting was more intense and less elastic. Demand was also more intense and less elastic under the 60-min delay condition. The results of this proof-of-concept study suggest that behavioral economic demand analyses are potentially useful for understanding and predicting texting while driving.
ISSN:0033-2933
2163-3452
DOI:10.1007/s40732-019-00341-w