Social Norms: An Underestimated and Underemployed Lever for Managing Climate Change

Articles
Griskevicius,V., Cialdini, R.B., and Goldstein, N.J. (2008). Social Norms: An Underestimated and Underemployed Lever for Managing Climate Change. International Journal for Sustainability Communication, 3, 5-13.
It is widely recognized that communications that make social norms salient can be effective in influencing behavior. What is surprising, given the strength of the evidence, is how…

Influencing User Behaviour With Energy Information Display Systems for Intelligent Homes

Articles
Wood G., & Newborough M. (2007). Influencing User Behaviour with Energy Information Display Systems for Intelligent Homes. Int. J. Energy Res., 31, 56-78.
This paper considers the design of energy consumption displays from a theoretical standpoint in relation to user-appliance interactions in the home. It presents the main options f…

Psychological resistance against attempts to reduce private car use

Articles
Tertoolen G., van Kreveld D. & Verstraten B. (1998). Psychological resistance against attempts to reduce private car use. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 32 (3), 171-181.
The aim of the research was to investigate the effects of information, feedback and commitment on car use and attitudes related to car use. In a field experiment (N = 350) users o…

Dormitory Residents Reduce Electricity Consumption when Exposed to Real-Time Visual Feedback and Incentives

Articles
Petersen, J., Shunturov, V., Janda, K., Platt, G., & Weinberger, K. (2007). Dormitory Residents Reduce Electricity Consumption when Exposed to Real-Time Visual Feedback and Incentives. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 8(1), 16.
Purpose: In residential buildings, personal choices influence electricity and water consumption. Prior studies indicate that information feedback can stimulate resource conservati…

Consumers' Attitudes Toward Energy Conservation

Articles
Olsen, M. (1981). Consumers' Attitudes Toward Energy Conservation. Journal of Social Issues, 37(2), 108.
Discusses the finding that there are not strong links between energy-related attitudes and behaviors such as conservation support and actions. Proposes that appropriate energy-rel…

Energy Conservation: Family Values, Household Practices and Contextual Variables

Articles
Hogan, M., & Paolucci, B. (1979). Energy Conservation: Family Values, Household Practices and Contextual Variables. Home Economics Research Journal, 7(4), 210-18.
A study was conducted to determine if differences existed in adoption rate of household energy conservation practices in families with varying husband-wife commitment to values an…

Using Cognitive Dissonance to Encourage Water Conservation

Articles
Dickerson CA, Thibodeau, R., Aronson, E., Miller, D. (1992). Using Cognitive Dissonance to Encourage Water Conservation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 22 (11), 841854.
In a field experiment on water conservation, we aroused dissonance in patrons of the campus recreation facility by making them feel hypocritical about their showering habits. Usin…

Prompting Electrical Energy Conservation in Commercial Users

Articles
Delprato, D. (1977). Prompting Electrical Energy Conservation in Commercial Users. Environment and Behavior, 9(3), 433-440.
Self prompting techniques were used to influence people to turn off lights in bathrooms. After consumers were given a method for self monitoring their behavior there was a signifi…

Diffusion of Energy-Conserving Innovations

Articles
Darley, J., & Beniger, J. (1981). Diffusion of Energy-Conserving Innovations. Journal of Social Issues, 37(2), 150.
Suggests that people's decisions to adopt energy-conserving processes and products is a specific instance of the decision to adopt an innovation. Discusses diffusion processes and…

Energy Conservation: Feelings Influence Actions

Articles
Verma, S. (1980). Energy Conservation: Feelings Influence Actions. Journal of Extension, 18, 14.
A study was done to determine (1) if interaction exists between the feeling and action components of behavior demonstrable for energy conservation, and (2) the effectiveness of an…

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