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

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. (in press). Intentions, efficacy, and norms: The impact of different self-regulatory cues on reducing engine idling at long wait stops. Journal of Environmental Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101368

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 26, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Oct 31, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 31, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Environmental Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0272-4944
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101368