Understanding the relationship between locus of control and pedestrian behaviors: moderating effects of personality


Öngören H. O., FINDIK G., ÖZ B.

Current Psychology, cilt.45, sa.4, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 45 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12144-026-09087-5
  • Dergi Adı: Current Psychology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Psycinfo
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Locus of control, Moderation analysis, Pedestrian behaviors, Personality traits, Traffic
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Recent statistics on pedestrian safety in public traffic underline the vulnerability of pedestrians in urban traffic settings. Few studies have investigated the influences of individual difference variables on pedestrian behaviors, and no prior study explored these behaviors in relation to locus of control. The present study is the first one exploring the relations that prevail between locus of control, personality traits and pedestrian behaviors. It adopts a multidimensional approach to locus of control considering it as an individual difference variable. Participants (n = 250; MAGE = 25.33 [SD = 9.92]; 66% female) were asked to fill out questionnaires on locus of control, personality traits and pedestrian behaviors. The data were analyzed using correlation matrix analysis and moderation analysis in Jamovi. The results of the moderation analyses indicate that in addition to main effects, several interaction effects were present in the set of moderations including chance as the predictor variable. Specifically, at average and high (but not low) levels of agreeableness, as the perception of chance controlling the events increased, aggressive violations also increased. Also, at average and high levels of both conscientiousness and agreeableness, the relationship between chance locus and positive behaviors was non-significant. However, at low levels of these personality traits, increase in the perception of chance controlling the events was associated with decreased positive behaviors. Significant interaction terms highlight the importance of personality traits in influencing the degree of relationship between locus of control and pedestrian behaviors.