Speaker: Dr. Shyama Ramani, Friend In Need India Trust and SITE4Sustainability
Title: On steering a behavioural transition from open defecation to toilet usage for sustainability
Date: 6 Nov 2024
Time: 12:00 pm
Venue: LH 510
Abstract:
When toilets are introduced as a niche innovation in communities where the dominant social norm is Open Defacation (OD), under what circumstances are there tipping points directed towards OD Free (ODF) state?
To answer this question, a two-step methodology is applied. First, a simple evolutionary game theoretic model of social norms is developed. This game setting is inspired by the seminal works of Fishbein (1967) and Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) in social-psychology. Their Theory of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior (TRA) offers a conceptual framework of the links between pre-existing attitudes and behavioral intentions to predict behavior. Second, simulations are conducted to identify factors influencing the tipping point towards universal toilet usage. The findings contribute to understanding tipping points for social norm transitions. The study shows how village characteristics, existing social norms, sanitation programs' features, and the evolving confidence of community members in using toilets drive the dynamics. Some villages transition to ODF, while others stagnate or even revert to OD. This highlights the importance of targeted interventions to influence tipping dynamics and achieve sustainable ODF communities.