Complementarities in behavioral interventions: Evidence from a field experiment on resource conservation

Fang X, Götte L, Rockenbach B, Tiefenbeck V, Sutter M, Schöb S, Staake T (2023)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Report

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Journal of Public Economics Elsevier

Book Volume: 228

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2023.105028

Open Access Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047272723002104

Abstract

Behavioral policy often aims at influencing behavior by mitigating biases due to, e.g., imperfect information or inattention. We study how this is affected by the simultaneous presence of multiple biases arising from different sources, through a field experiment on resource conservation in an energy- and water-intensive everyday activity (showering). One intervention, shower energy reports, primarily targeted knowledge about environmental impacts; another intervention, real-time feedback, primarily targeted salience of resource use. We find a striking complementarity. While only the latter induced significant conservation effects when implemented in isolation, each intervention became more effective when implemented jointly. This is consistent with predictions from a theoretical framework that highlights the importance of targeting all relevant sources of bias to achieve behavioral change.

Authors with CRIS profile

Verena Tiefenbeck Juniorprofessur für Digitale Transformation

Involved external institutions

University of Oxford GB United Kingdom (GB) Universität zu Köln DE Germany (DE) Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Fang, X., Götte, L., Rockenbach, B., Tiefenbeck, V., Sutter, M., Schöb, S., & Staake, T. (2023). Complementarities in behavioral interventions: Evidence from a field experiment on resource conservation. Journal of Public Economics, 228. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2023.105028

MLA:

Fang, Ximeng, et al. "Complementarities in behavioral interventions: Evidence from a field experiment on resource conservation." Journal of Public Economics 228 (2023).

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