Cognitive Dissonance and Energy Conservation

Articles
Kantola, S. J., Syme, G. J., & Campbell, N. A. (1984). Cognitive dissonance and energy conservation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 3, 416-421.
Examined whether high consumers of electricity placed in a cognitively dissonant situation would conserve electricity over a 4-wk period. 272 households in Perth, Western Australi…

Psychological Research for the New Energy Problems: Strategies and Opportunities

Articles
Kempton, W., Darley, J. M., & Stern, P. C. (1992). Psychological research for the new energy problems: Strategies and opportunities. American Psychologist, 47, 10, 1213-1223.
Recent concern with environmental problems has rekindled interest in energy conservation. To illustrate how psychologists can make useful contributions and how a changed energy si…

Do Consumers Know "What Works" in Energy Conservation?

Articles
Kempton, W., Harris, C. K., Keith, J. G., & Weihl, J. S. (1985). Do consumers know "what works" in energy conservation?. Marriage and Family Review, 9, 1-2, 115-133.
Investigated consumer attitudes toward energy conservation (efficiency investments, better management, and curtailment of amenities) by examining consumer bias in comparing measur…

Comparing the Effects of Monetary Incentives and Foot-in-the-Door Strategies in Promoting Residential Electricity Conservation

Articles
Katzev, R. D., & Johnson, T. R. (1984). Comparing the effects of monetary incentives and foot-in-the-door strategies in promoting residential electricity conservation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 14, 1, 12-27.
Investigated the relative effectiveness of incentive (monetary) and minimal justification (foot-in-the-door) techniques in promoting electrical energy conservation among 90 homeow…

A Social Psychological Perspective on Energy Conservation in Residential Buildings

Articles
Langmeyer, L. (1984). A social psychological perspective on energy conservation in residential buildings. American Psychologist, 39, 7, 810-811.
To design effective public policy, the social, cognitive, and personal forces that, in addition to the economic realities, define the situation must be understood. For the past 4 …

Use of Evaluation to Improve Energy Conservation Programs: A Review and Case Study

Articles
Kushler, M. G. (1989). Use of evaluation to improve energy conservation programs: A review and case study. Journal of Social Issues, 45, 1, 153-168.
Focuses on energy conservation and reviews the history of social science contributions in that area, together with a case study of the successful Michigan Residential Conservation…

Drop and Tilt: A Comparison of Two Procedures to Increase the Use of Venetian Blinds to Conserve Energy

Articles
Luyben, P. D. (1984). Drop and tilt: A comparison of two procedures to increase the use of venetian blinds to conserve energy. Journal of Community Psychology, 12, 2, 149-154.
Dropping and tilting venetian blinds appropriately can reduce unnecessary heat loss through window glass. Previous research has shown that both feedback and payments can effective…

Consumer Energy Research: A Review

Articles
McDougall, G. H., Claxton, J. D., Ritchie, J. R., & Anderson, C. D. (1981). Consumer energy research: A review. Journal of Consumer Research, 8, 3, 343-354.
Reviews the evolution of consumer energy research over the past decade by (1) categorizing consumer research and examining trends by category, (2) reviewing the more theoretical r…

Promoting Energy Conservation in Master-Metered Apartments through Group Financial Incentives

Articles
McClelland, L., & Cook, S. W. (1980). Promoting energy conservation in master-metered apartments through group financial incentives. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 10, 1, 20-31.
Describes an energy conservation program conducted among 4 groups of apartments (44-70 units/group) in a university-affiliated family housing complex. The winning group in each of…

Residential Home Audits: An Empirical Analysis of the Ener$ave Program

Articles
McDougall, G. H. G., Claxton, J. D. & Ritchie, J. R. B. (1983). Residential home audits: An empirical analysis of the ener$ave program. Journal of Environmental Systems, 12, 3, 265-278.
The purpose of residential home audit programs is to encourage energy conservation by providing homeowners with information concerning retrofit actions which are economically feas…
New 4TH Edition

Available Today!

Fostering Sustainable Behavior Book Cover

The latest edition of Fostering Sustainable Behavior features updated research, case studies, and practical strategies that can substantially impact the adoption of sustainable behaviors.

Site Courtesy of
McKenzie-Mohr & Associates

Expertise in Community-Based Social Marketing