Bystander intervention and litter control: Evaluation of an appeal-to-help program.

Harriet H. Christensen

doi:10.2737/PNW-RP-287

Treesearch

Bystander intervention and litter control: Evaluation of an appeal-to-help program.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Harriet H. Christensen

Year:

1981

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RP-287

Source:

Res. Pap. PNW-RP-287. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest and Range Experiment Station. 25 p

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Download (PDF 1.33 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/21270.pdf

Abstract

Managers of public recreation areas are concerned about increases in vandalism and disregard for regulations and the rights of others by some users. Other than the litter incentive program, none of the approaches for reducing violations have been evaluated or proved effective. The present study evaluated a program to increase involvement of campers in the management of depreciative behavior by reporting violations they witness. Results suggest that users who witness littering will help, by reporting infractions to authorities, dealing with the litterer, or picking up the litter.

Keywords

Appeal to help, public involvement, litter, recreation research, depreciative behavior, bystander intervention, recreation management, experimental analysis

Citation

Christensen, Harriet H. 1981. Bystander intervention and litter control: Evaluation of an appeal-to-help program. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-287. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest and Range Experiment Station. 25 p