# @oberlincollege on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4CU_mIMdx
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/30503661-oberlincollege-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/71fe79cf8c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-04-25T16:03:43.000+00:00

## Caption

Advertising signs are used to sell everything from legal services to razor blades. But are there ways to leverage advertising psychology for the good of the planet? And could digital signs be used to encourage pro-environmental thoughts and action?

Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology John Petersen ’88 says yes to both. “The tools advertisers have developed to influence people’s behavior are well researched,” he explains. “Instead of convincing people to buy a lot of things they don’t need, we should be using ads to convince people to exhibit pro-environmental and pro-community behavior.” 

Petersen and Professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies Cindy Frantz coauthored a field study published in 2024 in the journal Sustainability that demonstrated digital signs were effective in fostering positive environmental norms and behaviors. This includes greater awareness of (and sense of connection with) the local community and ecology; increased electricity conservation; and increased perception of youth engagement. “There are advertisements all over the place, and a lot of people believe they’re not influenced by them,” Frantz says. “But research shows you can be persuaded even if you’re not consciously paying attention.”

Read more about their research and the benefits of Oberlin’s collaborative environment at the link in our bio.

✏️: Jen DeMoss
🎨: Flotsam Jetsam

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 177
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 1

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| oberlincollege | @oberlincollege | https://gondola.cc/oberlincollege | University |
| Lucy Curtis | @1ucyyy | https://gondola.cc/1ucyyy | Social Media Coordinator |

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