Older drivers' self-regulation: discrepancy reduction or region of proximal learning?

We examined older adults' self-regulation within the region of proximal learning (RPL) framework. Younger and older drivers completed four circuits of increasing difficulty in a driving simulator and were then given a limited amount of time to train for a test. Although older drivers chose to train on easier circuits than younger ones, both age groups focused on the easier circuits first, only moving to the more difficult ones later. They were thus equally able to identify their RPL. This framework appears to apply beyond the obvious scope of metamemory and provides a behavioral assessment of self-regulation in driving settings.