Intentions, efficacy, and norms: The impact of different self-regulatory cues on reducing engine idling at long wait stops

Mahmood, L; Abrams, D; Meleady, R; Hopthrow, T; Lalot, F; Swift, H; Van de Vyver, J

doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101368

Intentions, efficacy, and norms: The impact of different self-regulatory cues on reducing engine idling at long wait stops

Mahmood, L; Abrams, D; Meleady, R; Hopthrow, T; Lalot, F; Swift, H; Van de Vyver, J

Authors

L Mahmood

D Abrams

R Meleady

T Hopthrow

F Lalot

H Swift

Dr Julie Van De Vyver julie.van-de-vyver@durham.ac.uk
Seminars/Lectures (PTT)

Abstract

Idling engines contribute significantly to air pollution and health problems. In a field study at a busy railway crossing we used the Theory of Planned Behavior to design persuasive messages to convince car drivers (N = 442) to turn off their engines during long wait stops. We compared the effects of three different messages (focusing on outcome efficacy, normative reputation, or reflection on one's intentions) against a baseline condition. With differing effectiveness, all three messages had a positive effect compared with the baseline. Drivers were most likely to turn off their engines when the message focused on outcome efficacy (49%) or reflection (43%), as compared to the baseline (29%). The increased compliance in the normative reputation condition (38%) was not significantly different from baseline. Thus, stimulating self-regulatory processes, particularly outcome efficacy, is demonstrated to have a positive effect on pro-environmental driving behavior. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Citation

Mahmood, L., Abrams, D., Meleady, R., Hopthrow, T., Lalot, F., Swift, H., & Van de Vyver, J. (2019). Intentions, efficacy, and norms: The impact of different self-regulatory cues on reducing engine idling at long wait stops. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 66, Article 101368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101368

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Oct 26, 2019
Online Publication Date	Oct 31, 2019
Publication Date	2019-12
Deposit Date	Oct 31, 2019
Publicly Available Date	Apr 4, 2024
Journal	Journal of Environmental Psychology
Print ISSN	0272-4944
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	66
Article Number	101368
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101368
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1285804