Abstract
The practices and behaviours of individuals influences resource consumption at many scales and are shaped by a multitude of psychological, social, and technical factors. This conceptual paper examines the differences between socio-psychological and social practice theories, building on the Chalk and Cheese debate in the literature. Insight is provided into their potential value in understanding resource consumption studies at different scales: the individual, the home, community, and societal. Each theory has its own qualitative and quantitative methods which allude to different conclusions and recommendations for resource consumption initiatives. We review the debate surrounding the application of both theories, adding our voice to the potential for both theories to be used at different scales and for different time periods, along with comments on the interlocking nature of practices. Design and technology changes can lead to quicker changes in behaviour and practices, whereby socio-psychological theories offer insights into changes in mind frame, values, and social norms.
Highlights
This publication reviews socio-psychology theories and social practice theory (SPT) as well as methods commonly employed to influence occupants in their use of resources
Socio-psychology theories view resource consumption as something that an individual uses depending on their personal values as well as norms, which are influenced by society
This review is followed by a discussion of the Chalk and Cheese debate, a review of the state of the literature surrounding the influence of scale and time on the performance of behaviours and practices and comments on how the two theories insights can be applied at the scale of the home, the community and society
Summary
This publication reviews socio-psychology theories and social practice theory (SPT) as well as methods commonly employed to influence occupants in their use of resources. Socio-psychology theories view resource consumption as something that an individual uses depending on their personal values as well as norms, which are influenced by society. There has been a provocative debate in the literature around the merging of socio-psychology theories with SPT for use in resource consumption studies and policy contexts, termed the Chalk and Cheese Debate [15,22,23]. This paper starts with a narrative literature review of SPT and socio-psychology theories that consider domestic resource use and consumption. This review is followed by a discussion of the Chalk and Cheese debate, a review of the state of the literature surrounding the influence of scale and time on the performance of behaviours and practices and comments on how the two theories insights can be applied at the scale of the home, the community and society
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