Perceived vs. actual multitasking abilities: Predicting texting while driving efficacy and behavior from overconfidence

Whereas numerous studies have reported drivers’ overconfidence in their driving ability, this study examines overconfidence in one’s multitasking abilities operationalized as overestimation (perception relative to one’s actual performance) and overplacement (perception relative to others’ abilities) as predictors of texting while driving (TWD). This study also examines TWD self-efficacy as an explanatory mechanism for the relationship between overconfidence and TWD. A sample of 611 undergraduate students (34 % male, mean age of 19.52 years) from a southwestern US university completed an online task-switching paradigm to assess their multitasking ability and multiple self-report measures of TWD-related constructs. TWD was also measured using phone application data. Results indicated that overconfidence (both overestimation and overplacement) was more strongly related to TWD self-efficacy than self-efficacy to resist TWD. TWD self-efficacy explained the relationships between overconfidence and TWD. Additionally, TWD self-efficacy predicted self-reported and actual TWD above and beyond self-efficacy to resist TWD and vice versa. Actual multitasking ability was not significantly related to actual or self-reported TWD. Overall, these findings provide evidence for the influence of overconfidence in multitasking and two forms of self-efficacy on TWD. Implications as well as future directions for research are discussed.