The effect of tailored information, goal setting, and tailored feedback on household energy use, energy-related behaviors, and behavioral antecedents

Abrahamse, Wokje; Steg, Linda; Vlek, Charles; Rothengatter, Talib

doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.08.002

Cited by 736 publications

(453 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…A similar information system was installed in almost 200 Dutch households, which residents could access online, and through which they were provided advice on energy conservation and customized feedback about any energy savings that they had achieved [52]. Five months after the installation of the information system, residents participating in this experiment had reduced their electricity use by 5% compared to before the system was fitted.…”

Section: Knowledge Of Energy Saving Versus Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In comparison, a control group of households did not have the information system installed, and their energy consumption actually increased by 0.7% over the same period. The experimental group also exhibited higher levels of knowledge on how to conserve energy compared to the control group, following installation of the system [52]. Elsewhere, energy monitors have been shown to increase residential users' energy consciousness, indicating that prior to the installation of such monitors, energy consumption is largely an unconscious, habitual process [53].…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Data on household and appliance energy use revealed that residents' electricity consumption decreased by 9% on average over a 40-weekday period after installation of the system, compared to an equal period of time prior to installation. This outcome was attributed to energy-saving behaviours such as better management of appliance electricity use, including reducing the time such devices operate in standby mode [51].A similar information system was installed in almost 200 Dutch households, which residents could access online, and through which they were provided advice on energy conservation and customized feedback about any energy savings that they had achieved [52]. Five months after the installation of the information system, residents participating in this experiment had reduced their electricity use by 5% compared to before the system was fitted.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Environmental knowledge, pro-environmental behaviour and energy savings in households: An empirical study

2016

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Energy consumption in households comprises over a quarter of total energy use in the UK [1]. Human behaviour is one of the main factors that can influence domestic energy consumption, together with the physical properties of the dwelling, climate, number and demographic profile of occupants, household income, lifestyle, and appliance ownership and use [2][3][4][5]. Indeed, variation in residents' behaviour can cause significant differences in energy consumption between dwellings with otherwise similar characteristics (e.g. household size, income, and building energy performance) [3,6]. It is therefore important to understand influences upon behaviour in households as these in turn have implications for domestic energy use. In this respect, strategies to stimulate pro-environmental behaviour represent one means of modifying behaviour in households in order to promote energy conservation and reduce environmental impact [7].Pro-environmental behaviour is a form of environmental action that 'consciously seeks to minimize the negative impact of one's actions on the natural and built world ' [8, p.240], and 'only refers to those personal actions that are directly related to environmental improvement ' [9, p.325]. Such environmental actions can be performed individually or collectively, and may be direct or indirect in their approach to mitigating harm to, and improving, the environment [9]. Pro-environmental behaviours can also be influenced by internal factors such as environmental awareness, values and attitudes [10] and external factors such as social norms, interaction with other individuals and financial constraints [11,12].In this study we assess how environmental knowledge influences pro-environmental behaviour in households. We establish and confirm links between knowledge about the environment and energy, actions on Environmental knowledge, pro-environmental behaviour and energy savings in households: An empirical study AbstractIn this paper we evaluate the impact of knowledge about environmental and energy issues on potential pro-environmental behaviour in households, specifically relating to behaviours, attitudes and habits towards energy use. Our results are based on an empirical survey and we find significant correlations which indicate that residents with positive environmental values and greater environmental knowledge are more likely to demonstrate energy behaviours, attitudes and habits which lead to energy saving activities in households. This is further supported through a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), which suggests that energy saving behaviour may also vary according to gender and employment status. Conversely, we find only limited evidence of statistical associations between environmental predisposition and knowledge, and ownership and frequency of use of household appliances. We argue that our results contribute to the significant body of literature supporting the role of knowledge in active engagement with energy issues. This study is timely following closely policy developments in activ...

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Section: Knowledge Of Energy Saving Versus Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 97%

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confidence: 99%

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Environmental knowledge, pro-environmental behaviour and energy savings in households: An empirical study

2016

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“…More impactful behaviors with respect to climate change mitigation include energy and travel curtailment and adopting low-carbon diets (e.g., Abrahamse et al, 2007).…”

Section: (D) Focusing On Environmentally Significant Behaviors Inclumentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A contrasting approach might begin with a framing of the research questions in terms of investigating the factors shaping household energy consumption (see Stern, 2014), which acknowledges the multiple disciplinary approaches that could usefully inform understanding of this problem. For example, in the interdisciplinary project reported by Abrahamse et al (2007), environmental scientists assessed the environmental impact (i.e., energy use) of different types of behaviors. This information enabled the research team to provide participating households with specific tips on how to reduce their energy use (e.g., by turning your thermostat down 1 degree, you would save XX% of energy), tailored to the specific household (that is, households only received tips that were relevant to their situation and that would enable them to realize substantial savings), and to provide them with feedback on how much energy they saved by changing particular behaviors (e.g., members of your household took shorter showers, which saved XX% energy).…”

Section: Integrating Psychology With Other Disciplinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expanding the role for psychology in addressing environmental challenges.

Clayton

Devine‐Wright

Swim

et al. 2016

American Psychologist

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Environmental challenges, though daunting, present an important area for psychologists to apply their knowledge. Psychological theories, research methods, and interventions are essential for examining the questions about human impacts, tendencies, and capacities that are integral to constructing effective responses to these challenges. Although a great deal of relevant research has been done, there is scope for psychologists to be more extensively involved. Following a brief review of existing research, we outline some important new directions. We also highlight 2 key divergences, arguing that psychological research needs to expand beyond a traditional, theory-based and decontextualized approach to environmental issues to incorporate a contextualized or “place-based” approach and a willingness to collaborate in interdisciplinary research teams that focus on specific environmental problems. Suggestions for promoting such interdisciplinary collaborations are reviewed. We encourage psychologists to expand their engagement with important environmental issues through multiple research approaches in order to further their understanding of human behavior, contributions to human well-being, and relevance to other disciplines and to society.

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