| ID | 149966 |
| Title Proper | Competition and norms |
| Other Title Information | a self-defeating combination? |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Alberts, Genevieve ; Gurguc, Zeynep ; Koutroumpis, Pantelis ; Napp, Tamaryn |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This paper investigates the effects of information feedback mechanisms on electricity and heating usage at a student hall of residence in London. In a randomised control trial, we formulate different treatments such as feedback information and norms, as well as prize competition among subjects. We show that information and norms lead to a sharp – more than 20% - reduction in overall energy consumption. Because participants do not pay for their energy consumption this response cannot be driven by cost saving incentives. Interestingly, when combining feedback and norms with a prize competition for achieving low energy consumption, the reduction effect – while present initially – disappears in the long run. This could suggest that external rewards reduce and even destroy intrinsic motivation to change behaviour. |
| `In' analytical Note | Energy Policy Vol. 96, No.96; Sep 2016: p.504–523 |
| Journal Source | Energy Policy 2016-09 96, 96 |
| Key Words | Competition ; Information ; Norms ; Household Energy Demand ; Behavioural Intervention ; Randomised Controlled Trial |