This study explored whether engagement in a novel and unusual behavior, such as doing laundry with biodegradable soap nuts, can disrupt the ecologically harmful habit of using fabric softener. We performed a longitudinal field experiment in which 183 individuals were visited by research assistants at their households on four occasions (t₀-t₃). A 2 × 2 design with a control group delivered two types of intervention: (1) a contextual intervention (receiving soap nuts or not) and (2) a persuasive message (omega or alpha strategy). Laundry done with soap nuts, laundry done with softener, and self-reports on the use of softener at the pretest (t₀), posttest (t₂), and follow-up (t₃) were dependent variables. Persuasion alone was not enough to prompt people to use soap nuts. Receiving soap nuts and alpha messages were the most effective methods for encouraging fabric softener reduction. Moreover, the reduced use of softeners during the intervention mediated the effect of using soap nuts on using softeners after at least two months. It appears that engagement in new and unusual behaviors may break old behavioral patterns.

这项研究探讨了参与一种新奇和不寻常的行为，例如用可生物降解的肥皂坚果洗衣服，是否会破坏使用织物柔软剂对生态有害的习惯。我们进行了一项纵向田间实验，其中研究助理在他们家中四次 (t ₀ -t ₃ )访问了 183 个人。带有对照组的 2 × 2 设计提供两种类型的干预：（1）上下文干预（是否接受肥皂坚果）和（2）有说服力的信息（omega 或 alpha 策略）。用肥皂果洗衣服，用柔软剂洗衣服，以及在前测 (t ₀ )、后测 (t ₂ ) 和后续 (t ₃ ) 中使用柔软剂的自我报告) 是因变量。单靠说服不足以促使人们使用肥皂坚果。接收肥皂坚果和阿尔法消息是鼓励减少织物柔软剂的最有效方法。此外，干预期间软化剂的减少使用介导了使用皂果对至少两个月后使用软化剂的影响。似乎参与新的和不寻常的行为可能会打破旧的行为模式。