Topic 3 Environmental psychology Flashcards
What is the summary of Lord?
The aim was to investigate the impact of different types of messages and sources on recycling behaviour.
140 households in a NE metropolitan area of the USA were targeted. Researchers covertly recorded the number of items recycled by each household and then the following week delivered a message encouraging them to recycle more. The message was either positive framed (benefits of recycling to society) or negatively framed (focused on damage caused by not recycling) and either delivered as a personal message, advertisement from an environmental company or news article. Participants were then observed a week later to see if they recycled more and were given a questionnaire to report on their attitudes to recycling.
All types of message increased recycling compared to the control group but the personal message led to the greatest increase in the number of items recycled (especially when it was negatively framed).
What is the Yale model of persuasion about?
4 Major factors involved in persuasive communication:
The source
-The message
-Recipient
-Situation
3 stages to effective communication:
-Attention to message
-Comprehension of message
-Acceptance of message
What is Luyben and Bailey about?
Carried out in 4 mobile homes, increasing the number of newspaper recycling facilities available led to a 52% increase in the recycling newspaper.
What is positive reinforcement in Oregon about?
A bill was passed in Oregon which gave people $0.05 for every can or bottle returned- when this happened the return rate increased by 90%.
What is Cialdini about?
Worked with large hotels to encourage guests to re-use towels. Randomly assigned cards with one of five different messages to 260 guest rooms.
-Help the hotel save energy
-Partner with us to help save the environment
-Help save resources for future generations
-Join fellow citizens in helping to save the environment.
-Last message was most successful as it descried social norms. 41% who had this card recycled towel. 31% with future generations card. 20% with help hotel card.
Results consistent with social psychological theory that when people are figuring out what to do, they take their cue from what others do- the social norm thus descriptive norm messages are the most successful.
What are the applications of topic 3 environmental?
-Place more bins around school (Luyben and Bailey)
-Putting posters around the school (Cialdini)
-Rewarding class that recycles the most (Bill in Oregon)
