I am working on a project where we are trying to use monetary incentives along with others to influence behaviour change. The example I am looking at involves urging households to change wood heating appliances. Old woodstoves release high levels of pollution where newer models (that meet US or Canadian emission standards) release much less (approximately 70% less). To get an indication of the monetary incentive that might be required for change we surveyed and conducted focus groups within a pilot community. One of the questions in the survey looked at the monetary incentive that would have the desired result (Will a financial incentive valued at XXX $ be enough for your family to get a new heating appliance which costs about $2000-3000?). The results indicate that an incentive of $400 would result in changeout of 33%. Given the success of earlier programs this figure is difficult to accept. Does anyone have a well documented example where questionnaire response to a finacial incentive does not translate to success when a program is actually delivered?
Tony Wakelin, P.Eng.
Air Emission Specialist Environmental Quality Branch
Ministry of Environment
Mailing: PO Box 9341, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, B.C. V8W 9M1
Location: 3rd Floor 2975 Jutland Rd., Victoria, B.C. V8T 5J9
Phone: (250) 356-0634
FAX: (250) 356-7197
e-mail: [email protected]
Discrepancies Between Survey Results and Actual Behaviour
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Tony,
I think it is difficult to supersede the well known gap between attitude and behavior. Behavioral models will give you light about your problem; however, they will not give you a rule of thumb. I think that a behavior change is a process that is composed by several procedures used on a time frame (short, medium and long). I suggest you to see the "planned behavior model" and the "reasoned action" one. Both contributions are important in terms of factor that affect intention to behave in a certain way and of economic-moral reasoning to adopt a new behavior.
Hope I helped you.
Luis Alberto Noriega, PhD
Post doctoral Researcher
University of So Paulo, Brazil.