In a field study by Shultz and his colleagues (2007), several households in a neighborhood received weekly feedback about their level of energy consumption relative to their neighbors. Some households received only descriptive norm feedback, and some received descriptive and injunctive norm feedback. Which method of feedback was most effective in producing energy conservation?
A) They were both very effective.
B) Descriptive norms
C) Descriptive and injunctive
D) They were both very ineffective.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study found that households that received feedback on both descriptive and injunctive norms showed a significantly greater reduction in their energy consumption compared to those that received only descriptive norm feedback or no feedback at all. This suggests that incorporating social norms and expectations into feedback can be more effective in promoting behavior change.

In a Field Study by Shultz and His Colleagues (2007)