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Motivating the selfish to stop idling: Self-interest cues can improve environmentally relevant driver behaviour

Van de Vyver, Julie, Abrams, Dominic, Hopthrow, Tim, Purewal, Kiran, Randsley de Moura, Georgina, Meleady, Rose (2018) Motivating the selfish to stop idling: Self-interest cues can improve environmentally relevant driver behaviour. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 54 . pp. 79-85. ISSN 1369-8478. (doi:10.1016/j.trf.2018.01.015) (KAR id:66028)

Abstract

Air pollution has a huge and negative impact on society, and idling engines are a major contributor to air pollution. The current paper draws on evolutionary models of environmental behaviour to test whether appeals to self-interest can encourage drivers to turn off their engines at long wait stops. Using an experimental design, drivers were shown one of three self-interest appeals (financial, health, kin) while waiting at a congested level-crossing site in the UK. Results showed that all three self-interest appeals increased the chances of drivers turning off their engines compared to the control condition. Specifically, drivers were approximately twice as likely to turn off their engines in the self-interest conditions (39–41% compliance) compared to drivers in the control condition (22% compliance). Thus, self-interest motives can be effective for promoting pro-environmental behavioural compliance. Theoretical and applied implications of this research are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.trf.2018.01.015
Uncontrolled keywords: Self-interest, Pro-environmental behaviour, Kin, Behavioural change, Engines
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Emily Fell
Date Deposited: 15 Feb 2018 08:36 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 19:05 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/66028 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Abrams, Dominic.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-4572
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Hopthrow, Tim.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2331-7150
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Purewal, Kiran.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Randsley de Moura, Georgina.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6285-6128
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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