Pacific Northwest Research Station

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

Author: Christensen, Harriet H.

Date: 1981

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

Station ID: RP-PNW-287

Description: 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

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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