Chapter 3.1, Problem 3.17ACI

Consumer recycling behavior. Refer to the Journal of Consumer Research (December 2013) study of consumer recycling behavior, Exercise 1.23 (p. 26). Recall that 78 college students were asked to dispose of cut paper they used during an exercise. Half the students were randomly assigned to list five uses for the cut paper (usefulness is salient condition), while the other half were asked to list their five favorite TV shows (control condition). The researchers kept track of which students recycled and which students disposed of their paper in the garbage. Assume that of the 39 students in the usefulness is salient condition, 26 recycled; of the 39 students in the control condition, 14 recycled. The researchers wanted to test the theory that students in the usefulness is salient condition will recycle at a higher rate than students in the control condition. Use probabilities to either support or refute the theory.