An eco-label effect in the built environment: Performance and comfort effects of labeling a light source environmentally friendly. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sörqvist, Patrik; Haga, Andreas; Holmgren, Mattias; Hansla, André
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental psychology. Volume 42(2015)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Eco-label effect -- Light source -- Comfort -- Performance -- Built environment; Environmental psychology -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.03.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-4944

Abstract

Abstract: People tend to idealize eco-labeled products, but can eco-labeling have consequences for performance? To address this question, 48 university students were asked to undertake a color discrimination task adjacent to a desktop lamp that was either labeled "environmentally friendly" or "conventional" (although they were identical). The light of the lamp labeled "environmentally friendly" was rated as more comfortable. Notably, task performance was also better when the lamp was labeled "environmentally friendly". Individual differences in environmental concern, but not pro-environmental consumer behavior and social desirability indexes, were related to the magnitude of the eco-label effect on performance. Whilst some previous studies have shown similar placebo-like effects of eco-labels on subjective ratings, this is the first study to show an eco-label effect for artifacts in the built environment on performance, and the first study to relate this effect to environmental concern. Psychological mechanisms that may underpin the eco-label effects are discussed. Highlights: People idealize eco-labeled light sources. Eco-labels produce placebo-like effects on performance. Eco-labels produce placebo-like effects on comfort ratings. Environmental concern makes the eco-label effect stronger.