A diagnostic approach to increase reusable dinnerware selection in a cafeteria

J Appl Behav Anal. 2007 Summer;40(2):301-10. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2007.143-05.

Abstract

The current project tested a diagnostic approach to selecting interventions to increase patron selection of reusable dinnerware in a cafeteria. An assessment survey, completed by a sample of 43 patrons, suggested that the primary causes of wasteful behavior were (a) environmental arrangement of dinnerware options and (b) competing motivational variables. A functional relation between environmental arrangement and reusable product selection was demonstrated in a reversal design. However, the largest effect occurred as function of a multicomponent intervention involving environmental arrangement, employee involvement, and personal spoken prompts with motivational signs. The results support the use of informant assessments when designing community interventions.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Behavior Therapy
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Cooking and Eating Utensils*
  • Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures
  • Equipment Reuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Occupations*
  • Restaurants*
  • Social Behavior*