| By: |
Ximeng Fang (University of Oxford);
Lorenz Goette (University of Bonn);
Bettina Rockenbach (University of Cologne);
Matthias Sutter (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods, University of Cologne, University of Innsbruck);
Verena Tiefenbeck (Friedrich-Alexander Universität Nürnberg-Erlangen, ETH Zurich);
Samuel Schoeb (University of Bamberg);
Thorsten Staake (University of Bamberg, ETH Zurich) |
| 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 energyand
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. |
| Keywords: |
behavioral public policy, pro-environmental behavior, limited attention, information provision, real-time feedback, policy interactions |
| JEL: |
D83 D90 Q41 |
| Date: |
2023–11 |
| URL: |
https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpg:wpaper:2023_13 |