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Title: Relevance of Behavioral and Social Models to the Study of Consumer Energy Decision Making and Behaviors

Abstract

This report reviews social and behavioral science models and techniques for their possible use in understanding and predicting consumer energy decision making and behaviors. A number of models and techniques have been developed that address different aspects of the decision process, use different theoretical bases and approaches, and have been aimed at different audiences. Three major areas of discussion were selected: (1) models of adaptation to social change, (2) decision making and choice, and (3) diffusion of innovation. Within these three areas, the contributions of psychologists, sociologists, economists, marketing researchers, and others were reviewed. Five primary components of the models were identified and compared. The components are: (1) situational characteristics, (2) product characteristics, (3) individual characteristics, (4) social influences, and (5) the interaction or decision rules. The explicit use of behavioral and social science models in energy decision-making and behavior studies has been limited. Examples are given of a small number of energy studies which applied and tested existing models in studying the adoption of energy conservation behaviors and technologies, and solar technology.

Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
OSTI Identifier:
6734473
Report Number(s):
SERI/RR-722-341
DOE Contract Number:  
AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY; ENERGY CONSERVATION; DECISION MAKING; SOLAR ENERGY; ATTITUDES; BEHAVIOR; COMMERCIALIZATION; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; MARKETING RESEARCH; PUBLIC OPINION; SIMULATION; SOCIOLOGY; ENERGY; ENERGY SOURCES; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES; energy conservation; decision making; solar energy; attitudes; 290200* - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology; 140000 - Solar Energy

Citation Formats

. Relevance of Behavioral and Social Models to the Study of Consumer Energy Decision Making and Behaviors. United States: N. p., 1980. Web. doi:10.2172/6734473.
. Relevance of Behavioral and Social Models to the Study of Consumer Energy Decision Making and Behaviors. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6734473
. 1980. "Relevance of Behavioral and Social Models to the Study of Consumer Energy Decision Making and Behaviors". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6734473. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6734473.
@article{osti_6734473,
title = {Relevance of Behavioral and Social Models to the Study of Consumer Energy Decision Making and Behaviors},
author = {},
abstractNote = {This report reviews social and behavioral science models and techniques for their possible use in understanding and predicting consumer energy decision making and behaviors. A number of models and techniques have been developed that address different aspects of the decision process, use different theoretical bases and approaches, and have been aimed at different audiences. Three major areas of discussion were selected: (1) models of adaptation to social change, (2) decision making and choice, and (3) diffusion of innovation. Within these three areas, the contributions of psychologists, sociologists, economists, marketing researchers, and others were reviewed. Five primary components of the models were identified and compared. The components are: (1) situational characteristics, (2) product characteristics, (3) individual characteristics, (4) social influences, and (5) the interaction or decision rules. The explicit use of behavioral and social science models in energy decision-making and behavior studies has been limited. Examples are given of a small number of energy studies which applied and tested existing models in studying the adoption of energy conservation behaviors and technologies, and solar technology.},
doi = {10.2172/6734473},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6734473}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980},
month = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980}
}