TY - JOUR PY - 1990// TI - Increasing Safety Belt Use: Effects of Modeling and Trip Length JO - Journal of applied social psychology A1 - Howell, Robert H. A1 - Owen, Patricia D. A1 - Nocks, Elaine C. SP - 254 EP - 263 VL - 20 IS - 3 N2 - Effects of modeling on car safety belt use were investigated in a field experiment. Modeling, anticipated trip length, and gender of the model were manipulated in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. Sixty-four female college students were told that they were to participate in an experiment that would take place in another location, requiring a drive either of less than one mile or of several miles. The driver either used or did not use a safety belt. Subjects' belt use was significantly related to the model's behavior. When the driver used a safety belt, 77.4% of the subjects used one; when the driver did not use a safety belt, only 313% of the subjects used one. A significant effect for trip length was also found. In the long trip condition, 71.9% of the subjects used a belt; in the short trip condition, 35.5% used one. Results are interpreted as support for a social learning theory approach to increasing voluntary safety belt use.

LA - SN - 0021-9029 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1990.tb00410.x ID - ref1 ER -