Behavioural economics and energy consumption

文章大意

讲座探讨行为经济学如何解释家庭能源使用：传统经济学假设人理性权衡成本收益，行为经济学则认为日常选择多由习惯、情绪和直觉驱动。研究将用户分四组发送不同节能信息，只有告知“邻居已在节能”的群体真正减少了用电，说明单纯提供信息往往无效，奖励、智能电表、手机应用和提醒更能促进行为改变。

题目与答案

1. Behavioural economics and energy consumption

   Introduction

   ·Behavioural economics studies human behaviour to influence the decisions people make.

   ·Traditional economics assumes that people act 31_____ and make their own decisions.

   答案：rationally

   原文定位：In this view, people compare costs and benefits, think through the available evidence, and choose rationally, as if every decision were based on logic

   同义替换：「choose」↔「act」

2. ·Behavioural economics recognises the human tendency to rely on 32_____ .

   答案：habit

   原文定位：Instead of analyzing every detail, people are often guided by habit, emotion, or instinct

   同义替换：「rely on」↔「guided by」

3. · As shown by a savings scheme, people value the possibility of gain more than the 33_____ of success.

   答案：likelihood

   原文定位：What mattered to them was the possibility of gaining something, not the actual likelihood of success

4. Scheme for energy customers

   An energy-saving scheme led to an unexpected 34_____

   答案：increase

   原文定位：Researchers expected that giving people advice would make them use less energy, but in some cases, the figures moved in the opposite direction and showed an increase

5. Energy customers were given information about consumption for different reasons.

   They were divided into four groups.

   Each group was told about a different benefit, such as:

   ·financial savings

   ·benefits to the environment

   ·benefits to their 35_____

   Only the last group actually changed their behaviour.

   答案：neighbors

   原文定位：A third said that using less energy would help people living nearby, especially their neighbors

6. Ways to encourage change

   People want a 36_____ .

   答案：reward

   原文定位：People may respond better when there is some form of reward, even a small one, such as a discount or positive feedback

7. 37_____ might be an efficient way to encourage change.

   答案：technology

   原文定位：Another useful tool is technology

8. Even minor 38_____ can have an effect.

   答案：changes

   原文定位：Small changes in routine can still produce useful results

   同义替换：「minor」↔「Small」

9. The 39_____ should spend money on this.

   答案：government

   原文定位：There is also a role for the government, especially in funding schemes that help households improve energy efficiency

   同义替换：「spend money」↔「funding」

10. For example, people could change a 40_____ .

    答案：routine

    原文定位：Small changes in routine can still produce useful results, such as reducing heating or switching off unused lights