Witnessing change: Dynamic norms help resolve diverse barriers to personal change

Sparkman, Gregg; Walton, Gregory M.

doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2019.01.007

Cited by 89 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Recent research suggests a possible solution: When people are exposed to dynamic norm information, information that a behavior is increasing in prevalence, people may conform to this change and do so even when this change violates the current norm [9]. Dynamic norms can affect attitudes and behaviors in many domains [10], including meat consumption [9]. In one study, people were more motivated to limit their meat consumption after learning that some people were changing and starting to eat less meat, as compared to simply learning about static norm information that some people currently limit how much meat they eat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a Scalable Dynamic Norm Menu-Based Intervention to Reduce Meat Consumption

et al. 2020

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How can we curb the current norm of unsustainable levels of meat consumption? Research on dynamic norms finds that learning that others are starting to eat less meat can inspire people to follow suit. Across four field experiments, we test efforts to scale dynamic-norm messages by incorporating them into restaurant and web-based menus. Studies 1–3 find increases in vegetarian orders when dynamic norms are included in menus (1–2.5 percentage points), although this effect does not always reach statistical significance and varies across populations and analytic models. In Study 4, dynamic norms significantly reduced vegetarian orders. These results raise two critical questions. First, where and with whom should a dynamic norm message reduce meat consumption? Our field data and past theory point to non-high socioeconomic contexts, and contexts where the reference group of people who have changed is meaningful to consumers. Second, how can the treatment be strengthened? Over five online experiments, we find that the visibility of the messages can be greatly improved, and more relatable norm referents can be selected. Although impacts on food orders appear modest, the minimal costs of scaling menu-based dynamic norm messages and the possibility of improving effect sizes make this a promising approach.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a Scalable Dynamic Norm Menu-Based Intervention to Reduce Meat Consumption

et al. 2020

Self Cite

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“…Importantly however, this contextual influence also means that it is possible to provide more opportunities for men to pursue communal roles by altering contextual factors. Research on social change shows that the most successful methods enabling change do not target the individual, but rather the institutional level, as individuals’ choices and behaviors will follow changes in social norms (Paluck, ), especially when people believe a certain change is inevitable (Diekman, Johnston, & Loescher, ; Morton, Postmes, Haslam, & Hornsey, ; Sparkman & Walton, ). This review provided an overview of various ways in which the described behavioral science insights provide leverages for change at the societal, organizational, social, and relational level (see Table for an overview).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to Foster Male Engagement in Traditionally Female Communal Roles and Occupations: Insights from Research on Gender Norms and Precarious Manhood

Meeussen

Laar

Grootel

2019

Social Issues Policy Review

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While women are increasingly entering traditionally masculine, agentic occupations and roles, there has been less of a shift in the opposite direction: men moving into traditionally feminine, communal occupations and roles. This paper outlines the negative consequences of men's low communal engagement, and how this inhibits various benefits for men themselves, for the women and children around them, and for society as a whole. We review how sociopsychological processes driven by gender norms and precarious manhood keep men from engaging in communal roles and behaviors. Moreover, we outline how insights into these contextual barriers to men's communal engagement may also be used to facilitate change such that men are freed to pursue both agentic and communal roles. We discuss (the effectiveness of) different interventions at the societal, organizational, social, and relational level that may enable men to pursue communal interests.When talking about gender inequality, people most often think about the disadvantages women face as compared to men-such as the gender pay gap, or women's underrepresentation in leadership positions and high status occupations

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“…"30% of Americans [...] limit their meat consumption", greatly reduced meat eating intentions and behaviors across a variety of contexts [23]. These dynamic norms led people to believe that change is compatible with their social identities [24]. Harnessing such dynamics may represent an effective way to promote other proclimate behaviors or policy support.…”

Section: Changing Identity Normsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the effects of partisan identity on climate change

Doell

Pärnamets

Harris

et al. 2021

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences

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Partisan and ideological identities are a consistent barrier to the adoption of climate change mitigation policies, especially in countries where fossil fuel reliance is the highest. We review how understanding collective cognition may help overcome such barriers by changing norms, promoting cooperation, downplaying partisan identities, or leveraging other identities to promote pro-climate change beliefs and behaviors. We also highlight several gaps in the literature and lay out a brief roadmap for future research. This review highlights the important role that social identity plays, both in terms of a barrier and a potential solution, in aid of promoting climate change mitigation. We also propose several key areas where research is lacking, and identify specific future directions.

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Witnessing change: Dynamic norms help resolve diverse barriers to personal change

Cited by 89 publications

References 63 publications

Developing a Scalable Dynamic Norm Menu-Based Intervention to Reduce Meat Consumption

Developing a Scalable Dynamic Norm Menu-Based Intervention to Reduce Meat Consumption

How to Foster Male Engagement in Traditionally Female Communal Roles and Occupations: Insights from Research on Gender Norms and Precarious Manhood

Understanding the effects of partisan identity on climate change

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