Critical review of behavioral interventions to preserve the environment: Research since 1980
Dwyer, W. O., Leeming, F. C., Cobern, M. K., Porter, B. E., & Jackson, J. M. (1993). Critical review of behavioral interventions to preserve the environment: Research since 1980. Environment and Behavior, 25, 3, 275-321.
Reviews the intervention research conducted from 1980-1990 that focused
on environmentally relevant behaviors. 54 studies were categorized and
evaluated according to a modified taxonomy of behavioral interventions
based on a taxonomy by E. S. Geller et al (see PA, Vol 78:2829).
Antecedent conditions using commitment, demonstration, and goal-setting
strategies were generally most effective in encouraging environmentally
responsible behavior, and consequence conditions were effective in
producing behavior change. However, much of the research did not
directly compare interventions, few meaningful follow-up measures were
reported, and many potentially effective intervention strategies were
ignored (i.e., group interventions and penalties).
