Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior: evidence from a pilot study in Germany
IntroductionReducing household energy consumption through behavioral changes is a key strategy in addressing the emissions driving the climate crisis. Behavioral changes in affluent households toward more sustainable practices can have a significant positive impact. Prior research highlighted the ro...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1473953/full |
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| author | Laura Höpfl Laura Höpfl Laura Höpfl Ivan Đula Ivan Đula Ivan Đula Francisco Kiss Rebecca Walter Maria Wirzberger Maria Wirzberger Maria Wirzberger |
| author_facet | Laura Höpfl Laura Höpfl Laura Höpfl Ivan Đula Ivan Đula Ivan Đula Francisco Kiss Rebecca Walter Maria Wirzberger Maria Wirzberger Maria Wirzberger |
| author_sort | Laura Höpfl |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionReducing household energy consumption through behavioral changes is a key strategy in addressing the emissions driving the climate crisis. Behavioral changes in affluent households toward more sustainable practices can have a significant positive impact. Prior research highlighted the role of individual values and motivational factors in shaping sustainable clusters. A more personalized approach toward encouraging the resulting clusters of people to adopt more sustainable strategies seems promising. Such an approach could incorporate aligned feedback, which has been proven to be a powerful mechanism throughout learning processes.MethodOver 9 weeks, a pilot study with 50 participants investigated the impact of different types of feedback on washing behavior. The within-subjects design included (1) a baseline condition, (2) feedback on energy consumption (kWh), and (3) feedback on monetary costs per cycle (EUR). Data collection encompassed pre- and post-condition surveys, a final comprehensive survey, and a diary-formatted table. The primary objective was to evaluate the potential for individualization. Asynchronous structured interviews were conducted at the end to explore participants' perceptions and washing behaviors.ResultsWhile we found effects for the feedback manipulation, we found no differences between user clusters in individual washing behaviors. Furthermore, participants qualitatively reported habitual changes, feeling more knowledgeable about the monetary impacts of specific washing programs and temperatures, and wished for a more accessible preset time function. Most participants expressed willingness to switch to a dynamic energy price if it translated to significant cost savings.DiscussionOur findings may support the notion that individualized behavior change strategies are promising. In general, these strategies should be easily applicable, cost-effective, and promote habits to be exerted regularly. Arising methodological limitations suggest further research in this domain. From an applied perspective, our research provides valuable insights for designing products, services, and regulations by governments and companies, empowering them to develop more effective strategies for reducing energy consumption. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b6dedbe38c1b47f5a4686f3b4585c317 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-b6dedbe38c1b47f5a4686f3b4585c3172025-01-28T13:42:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-01-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.14739531473953Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior: evidence from a pilot study in GermanyLaura Höpfl0Laura Höpfl1Laura Höpfl2Ivan Đula3Ivan Đula4Ivan Đula5Francisco Kiss6Rebecca Walter7Maria Wirzberger8Maria Wirzberger9Maria Wirzberger10University of Stuttgart, Teaching and Learning with Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, GermanyRobert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, GermanyUniversity of Stuttgart, Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075 'Data-Integrated Simulation Science', Stuttgart, GermanyUniversity of Stuttgart, Teaching and Learning with Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, GermanyUniversity of Stuttgart, Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075 'Data-Integrated Simulation Science', Stuttgart, GermanyUniversity of Stuttgart, Interchange Forum for Reflecting on Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, GermanyRobert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, GermanyRobert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, GermanyUniversity of Stuttgart, Teaching and Learning with Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, GermanyUniversity of Stuttgart, Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075 'Data-Integrated Simulation Science', Stuttgart, GermanyUniversity of Stuttgart, Interchange Forum for Reflecting on Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, GermanyIntroductionReducing household energy consumption through behavioral changes is a key strategy in addressing the emissions driving the climate crisis. Behavioral changes in affluent households toward more sustainable practices can have a significant positive impact. Prior research highlighted the role of individual values and motivational factors in shaping sustainable clusters. A more personalized approach toward encouraging the resulting clusters of people to adopt more sustainable strategies seems promising. Such an approach could incorporate aligned feedback, which has been proven to be a powerful mechanism throughout learning processes.MethodOver 9 weeks, a pilot study with 50 participants investigated the impact of different types of feedback on washing behavior. The within-subjects design included (1) a baseline condition, (2) feedback on energy consumption (kWh), and (3) feedback on monetary costs per cycle (EUR). Data collection encompassed pre- and post-condition surveys, a final comprehensive survey, and a diary-formatted table. The primary objective was to evaluate the potential for individualization. Asynchronous structured interviews were conducted at the end to explore participants' perceptions and washing behaviors.ResultsWhile we found effects for the feedback manipulation, we found no differences between user clusters in individual washing behaviors. Furthermore, participants qualitatively reported habitual changes, feeling more knowledgeable about the monetary impacts of specific washing programs and temperatures, and wished for a more accessible preset time function. Most participants expressed willingness to switch to a dynamic energy price if it translated to significant cost savings.DiscussionOur findings may support the notion that individualized behavior change strategies are promising. In general, these strategies should be easily applicable, cost-effective, and promote habits to be exerted regularly. Arising methodological limitations suggest further research in this domain. From an applied perspective, our research provides valuable insights for designing products, services, and regulations by governments and companies, empowering them to develop more effective strategies for reducing energy consumption.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1473953/fullbehavioral science interventionsbarriers in the real worldindividualized feedbackpersonalized interventionsenergy consumption reduction |
| spellingShingle | Laura Höpfl Laura Höpfl Laura Höpfl Ivan Đula Ivan Đula Ivan Đula Francisco Kiss Rebecca Walter Maria Wirzberger Maria Wirzberger Maria Wirzberger Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior: evidence from a pilot study in Germany Frontiers in Psychology behavioral science interventions barriers in the real world individualized feedback personalized interventions energy consumption reduction |
| title | Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior: evidence from a pilot study in Germany |
| title_full | Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior: evidence from a pilot study in Germany |
| title_fullStr | Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior: evidence from a pilot study in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior: evidence from a pilot study in Germany |
| title_short | Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior: evidence from a pilot study in Germany |
| title_sort | efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior evidence from a pilot study in germany |
| topic | behavioral science interventions barriers in the real world individualized feedback personalized interventions energy consumption reduction |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1473953/full |
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