Masters Thesis

The assessment of an internet-based group-oriented contingency to decrease miles driven daily

Past research that has focused on decreasing mileage consumption has used incentive procedures with individualized contingencies. The present study aimed to extend this line of research in sustainability by utilizing an interdependent group-oriented contingency where every member of a specified group met the predetermined mileage reduction criteria. In addition to the group-oriented contingency, a social media platform was incorporated to help facilitate communication between group members. Although all three groups that participated in the study failed to meet the group-oriented contingency for 2 consecutive weeks, results of group weekly mileage consumption indicated that all three groups reduced mileage after the interdependent group-oriented contingency component was added. Implications of the current study on group social interactions, CO2 emissions, and future research are discussed.

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