Positive reinforcement is just the beginning: Associative learning principles for energy efficiency and climate sustainability

Schneider, Susan; Sanguinetti, Angela

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2021.101958

Cited by 26 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…This is neither speculation nor a new idea. In fact, behavior analysis has a longstanding tradition in applying its principles to the study and promotion of pro-environmental behavior research ( Cone and Hayes, 1980 ; Dwyer et al, 1993 ; Lehman and Geller, 2004 ; Foxall et al, 2006 ; Gelino et al, 2021 ; Schneider and Sanguinetti, 2021 ). However, only few behavior analysts currently work in the field of environmental psychology ( Schneider and Sanguinetti, 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussion: Potential Contributions To Research On Pro-envir...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, behavior analysis has a longstanding tradition in applying its principles to the study and promotion of pro-environmental behavior research ( Cone and Hayes, 1980 ; Dwyer et al, 1993 ; Lehman and Geller, 2004 ; Foxall et al, 2006 ; Gelino et al, 2021 ; Schneider and Sanguinetti, 2021 ). However, only few behavior analysts currently work in the field of environmental psychology ( Schneider and Sanguinetti, 2021 ). As a consequence, we suspect that many environmental psychologists might be unaware of the potential contributions of behavior analysis to the study of pro-environmental behavior.…”

Section: Discussion: Potential Contributions To Research On Pro-envir...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Applied behavior analysts, on the other hand, make use of the principles discovered in the experimental analysis of behavior to address behavioral problems in less controlled circumstances. For example, they may account for pro-environmental behavior by referring to principles of operant conditioning, delay-discounting or generalization ( Lemos et al, 2019 ; Schneider and Sanguinetti, 2021 ; Wille, 2021 ). Based on a functional analysis of the contingencies that maintain a behavior, applied behavior analysts aim to rearrange contingencies to promote alternative behaviors.…”

Section: Principles Of Behavior Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Potential Contributions of Behavior Analysis to Research on Pro-environmental Behavior

Wille

Lange

2022

Front. Psychol.

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Large parts of contemporary research on pro-environmental behavior focus on mechanistic explanations and mental constructs. Exclusive reliance on this approach may hinder the search for novel solutions to conceptual problems, more powerful methods, and innovative behavior change interventions. Theoretical diversity, on the other hand, can render a field adaptive in its responses to crises and impasses. Against this background, we describe the complementary approach of behavior analysis and its potential contributions to problems of contemporary research on pro-environmental behavior. Behavior analysis (1) provides a consistent account of phenomena that are difficult to reconcile with the mechanistic perspective, (2) redirects the spotlight to context, (3) provides a framework and methodology for assessing behavior with actual environmental impact, and (4) could inspire the development of new intervention techniques. Based on these contributions, we conclude that behavior analysis could substantially enrich research on pro-environmental behavior.

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Section: Discussion: Potential Contributions To Research On Pro-envir...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussion: Potential Contributions To Research On Pro-envir...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Principles Of Behavior Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Potential Contributions of Behavior Analysis to Research on Pro-environmental Behavior

Wille

Lange

2022

Front. Psychol.

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“…Science and engineering need to be concerned in the direction of a rapid response to climate change (Schneider and Sanguinetti, 2021). Multidimensional climate management is the key to the commitment of sub-national levels to achieve their respective national and international goals.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate mitigation in the Mediterranean Europe: An assessment of regional and city-level plans

Salvia

Olazabal

Fokaides

et al. 2021

Journal of Environmental Management

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“…For example, antecedent information, prompting, goal setting, feedback, incentives, and fines (or some combination of these) may reduce electricity consumption (e.g., Hayes & Cone, 1981), gasoline consumption (e.g., Foxx & Hake, 1977), water consumption (e.g., Aitken et al, 1994), meat consumption (e.g., Brunner et al, 2018), and trash production (e.g., Austin et al, 1993). And a recent paper by Schneider and Sanguinetti (2021) highlighted that other behavior-analytic interventions (that have heretofore been underutilized) carry significant promise. The extant body of literature (see Abrahamse et al, 2005;Gelino et al, 2021;Maki et al, 2016;Nisa et al, 2019;Osbaldiston & Schott, 2012;and Wynes et al, 2018, for reviews) is the foundation of knowledge for producing large-scale behavior change to reduce emissions.…”

Section: Influencing Behavior Relevant To Ghg Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rebooting Behavioral Science to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bonner

Biglan

2021

Behav. Soc. Iss.

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There is no question that climate change threatens the very existence of the human species. Indeed, there is mounting evidence that the sixth mass extinction event is well and truly underway. Mitigating the threats imposed by a warming climate requires a dynamic and coordinated approach, including a strong international coalition embodied by the Paris Agreement, significant investment in technological innovations to redesign the way resource-intensive commodities are produced, and a renewed emphasis on shifting climate-relevant behavior toward more sustainable alternatives. The latter has been largely neglected by the international community and funding agencies. This article serves to identify the international context in which efforts to reduce emissions using behavioral science are embedded. We highlight some of the work of behavioral scientists to enhance pro-environmental behavior that will prove vital to large-scale efforts to reduce emissions. We propose a model for designing experimental evaluations of multisector community interventions to reduce emissions on large scales. Finally, we issue a call to action for behavioral scientists and community organizers to collaborate in a new age of behavioral science research to curb the climate crisis. Keywords Climate change . Community intervention . Greenhouse gas emissionsThe imminent and existential threats posed by a warming climate have been well documented (see Grant, 2011, and Thompson, 2010, for reviews). Achieving net-zero emissions as soon as possible is vital to mitigating these threats. But anthropogenic emissions continue to rise (Jackson et al., 2018), and climate-induced human migrations (termed "climigrations") are in full flux across the globe (Palinkas, 2020). The harsh impacts of climate change on human well-being are no longer in the future. They have arrived in full force.

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Positive reinforcement is just the beginning: Associative learning principles for energy efficiency and climate sustainability

Cited by 26 publications

References 90 publications

Potential Contributions of Behavior Analysis to Research on Pro-environmental Behavior

Potential Contributions of Behavior Analysis to Research on Pro-environmental Behavior

Climate mitigation in the Mediterranean Europe: An assessment of regional and city-level plans

Rebooting Behavioral Science to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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