Informational Nudges to Encourage Pro-environmental Behavior

Examining Differences in Message Framing and Human Interaction

Bibliographic Data

ID22092520
AuthorsKatherine M Nelson (0000-0001-9242-246X, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, corresponding author), Mirja Kristina Bauer (University of Bremen), Stefan Partelow (0000-0002-7751-4005, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research)
Year2021
Volume5
Publication date2021-02-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2297-900X • E-ISSN: 2297-900X
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fcomm.2020.610186
OpenAlexW3126591247
LanguageEN
Citations received15
References cited62

Two natural field experiments were implemented to examine the influence of framing effects on environmental behavior. The first study examined plastic bag use at a convenience store using low cost nudges: an informational message on a sign and interpersonal communication at check-out. We employed a 3 × 2 treatment design (positive message vs. negative message vs. no sign; each paired with both asking for bag vs. not asking for bag) and report the observed plastic bag use behavior. A second study was conducted using a pre-snorkel briefing with two message frames–positive, negative, and no briefing (control). Environmentally damaging snorkel behavior was anonymously observed and recorded. Both experiments show the same general result: a significant and positive difference between subjects that were exposed to an intervention compared to those in the control conditions. However, we do not find significant differences in observed environmental behavior between the negative and positive framing

Framing effect · Interpersonal communication · Nudge theory · Persuasion · Applied Psychology · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Engineering · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Psychology · Social Psychology

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