Study Objectives: Air Noise and Light Pollution/Energy Conservation

Question 1

What is air pollution?

Answer 1

The release of pollutants into the air that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole

Question 2

Why are most most people not aware of air quality levels?

Answer 2

Air pollution is often imperceptible, and even when it is noticeable people’s perceptions can often be inaccurate

Question 3

What is noise?

Answer 3

Unwanted sound, perceived as an environmental stressor and nuisance

Question 4

What are the health effects of noise?

Answer 4

1. Sleep Disturbances
2. Increase in blood pressure
3. Increase in heart rate

Question 5

How did Meyers and Ferrari decrease noise in University Residence Halls?

Answer 5

Through the use of instructions, modeling, feedback, and group reinforcement

Question 6

What were the benefits of the reduction of noise in residence halls in the Meyers and Ferrari study?

Answer 6

less disturbance of sleep and study

Question 7

How did Ferrari and Chan reduce the volume of headphones?

Answer 7

the use of warning signs and a confederate student lowering their headphone volume following a polite request

Question 8

How did Wilson and Hopkins reduce the noise levels in seventh and eighth grade classrooms?

Answer 8

By the use of an automated system that turned off music when noise level exceeded a certain level

Question 9

What are some of the health problems associated with light pollution?

Answer 9

Problems with sleep and increased stress

Question 10

What are five ways to reduce light pollution?

Answer 10

1. Aim light below the horizontal
2. Avoid over lighting
3. Use reflective lane markings and reflective clothing
4. Smart lighting that switches on with you
5. Avoiding full daylight bulbs with a high blue content

Question 11

What is the largest segment of energy use?

Answer 11

transportation

Question 12

How large is the renewable energy segment and what are the types of renewable energy?

Answer 12

11% hydroelectric, wind, solar, biofuels, wood, biomass waste, and geothermal

Question 13

What are some of the trends in energy use?

Answer 13

An increase in natural gas, and renewable energy, a decrease in coal and stable use of petroleum and nuclear

Question 14

What are some of the pros and cons for solar energy?

Answer 14

Solar energy is clean but solar farms can lead to habitat loss and only provides intermittent power output

Question 15

What are some of the pros and cons for wind energy

Answer 15

Wind energy is a clean source, but wind farms can pose a threat for birds and bats. They also provide intermittent power output.

Question 16

What are some of the pros and cons for uranium based nuclear energy?

Answer 16

Carbon free and a reliable source of power but the potential for radiation leaks and plant meltdowns are a major concern.

Question 17

What are some of the pros and cons for thorium based nuclear energy?

Answer 17

Thorium reactors can be easily stopped and cannot melt down. They do not operate under extreme pressure and produce less waste

Question 18

What are three compatible solutions to clean and dependable energy?

Answer 18

1. use of diverse clean sources that fit each ecological location (technology)
2. reduce overall energy use (change behavior)
3. balance energy

Question 19

How did Van Houten et.al. reduce elevator use?

Answer 19

By increasing the door delay increasing the wait time for the elevator

Question 20

What type of prompt did Luyben use to get people to turn off lights when the room was not in use?

Answer 20

A single letter prompt asking faculty to turn off the lights, In one group a bright yellow poster placed nect to each light switch and/or exit door in the classroom urging classroom users to turnout lights after class is ended.

Question 21

How did Hayes and Cone (1981) use a practical method to decrease residential energy use?

Answer 21

Monthly letter with power bill showing energy use and actual dollar amounts saved

Question 22

How did Staats et.al. change thermostat settings in a large office building?

Answer 22

A brochure’s and feedback to request people to uncover all grates and to adjust all thermostats to identical settings in order to reduce natural gas consumption

Question 23

How did Kohlenburg reduce peak energy use?

Answer 23

Using information, feedback, and incentives. They found a combination of feedback plus incentives to be most effective

Question 24

How did Bekker et.al. reduce energy use in a residential hall?

Answer 24

Usign prompts and daily feedback and a reward for electricity savings. they also put up smaller signs on tips to save energy near driers, tvs, light switches, and computers

Question 25

What were the incentives in the Bekker study?

Answer 25

depending on the savings they could earn free coffee, and a movie night and ice cream and pizza party on a higher level

Question 26

What are three factors that influence the efficacy of modeling?

Answer 26

1. video models work as well as in person models
2. a model judged as similar to you works better than one very dissimilar
3. a model you admire is more effective than a neutral model

Question 27

How did Winett et.al (1985) use television modeling to reduce residential heating and air conditioning energy use?

Answer 27

They had them watch a program that discussed the motivating operations for saving energy and modeled ways to save energy. they also gave them a 10 pg booklet with tips to save energy

Question 28

How did they confirm that people watched the program?

Answer 28

they verified watching the program by telling people viewing the program to check a point on the evaluation when filling out the form