RelentlesslyOptimistic

Superman is not a good role model

We'll now have to add consideration of people's superhero choices to Community Based Social Marketing. While this is amusing in a way, it points out how disempowering those people who do everything can be, and how important it is when working with volunteers or inexperienced staff to ensure that they have a role that they believe they can do well.

From Dave Does The Blog
"A new study indicates that folks who are thinking about Superman are actually less likely to volunteer to help others. Folks were cued up with images of the Man of Steel — or other images — and then asked to volunteer for community service projects.

According to New Scientist: Students who thought of Superman volunteered much less of their time than those who thought about other superheroes. Furthermore, Superman-primed subjects were significantly less likely to show up at a meeting for volunteers held three months after they were initially asked to participate.

The speculation is that folks are too daunted by their own shortcomings, in the face of folks like Supes, and so are less inclined to take action. Interesting."

Littering and Recycling

Link: Articles: Detail View. Free registration required.

Abstract:

Determine whether residential recycling programs introduced an additional benefit (reduced litter) and evaluated the proposition that such programs should impart to participants a heightened environmental awareness and understanding that may encourage them to litter less and/or pick up more accumulated litter. Also examined was accumulated litter by various types (recyclable litter, recyclable accessories, and nonrecyclable litter) in selected neighborhoods before and after the implementation of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, curbside recycling program.
Recyclable litter decreased significantly after the onset of the program. However, there was no similar decline in other types of litter. Although participants were motivated to discard fewer recyclables and/or pick up more recyclable litter after implementation of the program, this behavior did not carry over to the proper disposal of nonrecyclable litter.

Reference: Reams, M. A., Geaghan, J. P., & Gendron, R. C. (1996). The link between recycling and litter: A field study. Environment and Behavior, 28, 1, 92-110.
Via CBSM.com

Littering Behavior: Demands prompt littering, rather than decreasing it

Link: Cases: Detail View. Free registration required.

A literature review revealed that a statement that puts an extreme demand on a person is likely to elicit the undesirable behavior. On the other hand, a statement that creates a norm appeal is likely to elicit compliance. Therefore, a pilot program was designed to further investigate these findings with respect to litter control. When patrons of a public swimming pool purchased an item at the concession stand, they received a pamphlet containing one of three messages. While one flyer contained an extreme demand ("Don't Litter), another contained a normative appeal ("Help Keep your Pool Clean"). A third pamphlet, which displayed a message unrelated to littering, was used as a control. The frequency of littering was measured by counting the number of each type of flyer that was not properly disposed of in the poolside area. Results: The flyer containing the extreme message elicited the highest frequency of littering of the three handbills. The "Don't Litter" flyer was littered 50% of the time. In comparison, the normative appeal flyer was improperly disposed of only 30% of the time.

Via CBSM.Com