Using Feedback, Reinforcement and Information to Reduce Energy Consumption in Households: A Field-Experiment
Midden, C. J., Meter, J. E., Weenig, M. H., & Zieverink, H. J. Using feedback, reinforcement and information to reduce energy consumption in households: A field-experiment. Vol. 3. 1983. 65-86.
Presents results of a research project on the effectiveness of behavior modification strategies in influencing energy use in family households. A field experiment was carried out testing the effects on conservation of 4 strategies: (1) general information about how to conserve energy in the home, (2) weekly feedback on the magnitude and financial consequences of people's personal energy consumption, (3) weekly feedback on the magnitude and financial consequences of people's personal energy consumption compared with the consumption of people in comparable settings, and (4) weekly comparative feedback and financial reinforcement for decreases in energy use. Residents of an apartment complex in The Netherlands served as Ss. Results indicate that individual feedback (Strategy 2) and financial reinforcement with comparative feedback (Strategy 4) were effective in reducing energy use, comparative feedback (Strategy 3) was effective under certain conditions, and general information (Strategy 1) was not effective. The relation between residents' attitudes and their consumption levels is discussed. (14 ref)
