The Library
Exploring the role of messenger effects and feedback frames in promoting uptake of energy-efficient technologies
Tools
Hafner, Rebecca J., Elmes, David and Read, Daniel (2019) Exploring the role of messenger effects and feedback frames in promoting uptake of energy-efficient technologies. Current Psychology, 38 . pp. 1601-1612. doi:10.1007/s12144-017-9717-2 ISSN 1046-1310.
|
PDF
WRAP-exploring-role-messenger-effects-energy-efficient-technologies-Elmes-2017.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (798Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9717-2
Abstract
The persuasive potential for varying messenger types and feedback frames to increase pro-environmental choice was explored in a 2 (feedback frame: financial vs. environmental) × 5 (messenger type: neighbour, government, industry, utilities vs. control) factorial design experiment. Using the context of home heating choice, 493 non-student participants were given information on either the financial or environmental benefits of selecting an energy-efficient heat pump versus a standard boiler, as described by one of four messenger types (versus a no-messenger control). Likelihood of selecting the ‘green’ technology was assessed, as well as any carry-over effects on real-life behavioural intentions. Additionally, we assessed the messenger attributes that appeared to be most important in this context, in terms of whether sources that were perceived to be trustworthy, knowledgeable, or a combination of both dimensions, would hold greater sway over preference formation. Overall, no evidence was found for any impact of messenger type on either preference formation or behavioural intentions. However, message content (i.e. how information on the benefits of pro-environmental choice was framed), was found to have substantial impact on behaviour; with the financial versus environmental decision frame being significantly more likely to encourage uptake of the energy-efficient versus standard technology. We suggest that the level of processing required for the kinds of large-scale purchase decisions we consider here may explain the lack of any messenger effect on choice behaviour. Implications for the development of behaviour change interventions designed to promote consideration of energy-efficient technologies in this context are discussed.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subjects: | T Technology > TH Building construction | ||||||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School | ||||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Boilers, Heat pumps, Energy conservation -- Psychological aspects | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Current Psychology | ||||||||
Publisher: | Springer New York LLC | ||||||||
ISSN: | 1046-1310 | ||||||||
Official Date: | December 2019 | ||||||||
Dates: |
|
||||||||
Volume: | 38 | ||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 1601-1612 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1007/s12144-017-9717-2 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 13 February 2019 | ||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 14 February 2019 | ||||||||
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
|
Request changes or add full text files to a record
Repository staff actions (login required)
View Item |
Downloads
Downloads per month over past year