Resolving Social Dilemmas: Dynamic Structural And Intergroup Aspects
Foddy, M, & Smithson, M. (1999). Choice of transportation mode: Factors influencing drivers' willingness to reduce personal car use and support car regulations . In Garvill, J. (Ed.). Resolving social dilemmas: Dynamic, structural, and intergroup aspects. (pp. 263-279).
Examined the effects of a structural intervention with social-psychological implications, the introduction of domestic meters for water use, on water use and conservation attitudes. The author first summarizes the results of 2 large scale metering projects that have been carried out in the US and UK. Subsequently, the various social-psychological consequences of metering are discussed as well as the findings of 2 recent studies which compared the conservation decisions and attitudes in households with and without meters. 76 questionnaires were completed by Ss (mean age 43 yrs) in either metered or nonmetered households. No main effect for metering was revealed, but a significant interaction between the severity of water shortage and metering was found. Metered residents were more responsive to perceptions shortage severity.
