Individual differences in accident liability: A review and integrative approach

This paper reviews research since 1970 on the relationship between accident liability and individual differences, focusing specifically on accidents a t work. The history of research into accident liability and the methodologi cal problems associated with the research are considered. The review goes o n to examine work on the impact of personality factors, cognitive factors, and social factors on the likelihood of accident involvement at work. We su ggest that research into individual differences in accident liability shoul d consider two possible routes to accident involvement via errors and/or vi olations. Although errors are predominantly associated with cognitive facto rs, violations have their origins in social psychological factors. We also consider the role of stress in mediating the personality-accident associati on. It is contended that individuals differ in their reactions to stress, s o that although some respond by an increase in risk-taking behavior, the ef fect on others is to increase the likelihood of suboptimal performance in t erms of information processing. Actual or potential applications of this re search include the development of a more sophisticated model of individual differences in accident liability, which should be useful to organizations attempting to promote safety.