Joint effect of feedback and goal setting on performance: a field study of residential energy conservation

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Appl. Psychol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.63.4.428· OSTI ID:6347585

Becker, L J

The facilitating motivational effect of feedback on performance has been attributed by some to difficult goals set in response to feedback. In this article, the effect was attributed to the presence of both a difficult goal and feedback about performance in relation to that goal. Eighty families were asked to set a goal to reduce their residential electricity consumption for several weeks during the summer, half of them by 20% (a difficult goal) and half by 2% (an easy goal). Within each of these groups, half of the families were given feedback three times a week about their consumption. Twenty more families served as a control. As predicted, the 20%-feedback group conserved the most (13.0% - 15.1%) and was the only one that consumed significantly less electricity than the control. It was concluded that improved performance was a result of the joint effect of feedback and goal setting. The implications of this research for a national residential conservation strategy are discussed. 20 references, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Princeton Univ., NJ
• DOE Contract Number: AS02-76CS20039
• OSTI ID: 6347585
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Psychol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Psychol.; (United States) Vol. 63:4; ISSN JAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
320900* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Education & Public Relations-- (1980-)
ATTITUDES
BEHAVIOR
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
INFORMATION NEEDS
PERFORMANCE
PUBLIC POLICY
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR