In a Recent Study About How to Promote Energy Conservation

Multiple Choice

In a recent study about how to promote energy conservation, Nolan and colleagues (2008) found that simply telling people that their neighbors conserve energy was a more effective means of reducing energy consumption than telling them other reasons why they should conserve. Why did this message work the best?

A) Participants experienced cognitive dissonance.
B) Participants engaged in counterfactual thinking.
C) Participants were affected by informational social influence.
D) Participants were persuaded by fear appeals.