Book chapter
English

Constructing normality through material and social lock-in: The dynamics of energy consumption among Geneva's more affluent households

ContributorsSahakian, Marlyneorcid
Published inAllison Hui, Rosie Day, Gordon Walker (Ed.), Demanding energy. Space, time and change, p. 51-71
PublisherBerlin : Springer
Publication date2018
Abstract

This chapter explores the underpinning dimensions of energy-using practices among an affluent social group in Geneva, or households who self-identify as being part of the expatriate population. We demonstrate how people can be locked into certain consumption practices by their physical possessions, a form of material lock-in, but also by social status and power dynamics, what we term social lock-in. Much of this has to do with expectations around social norms, or how normality is constructed within this social group and across different consumption spaces, and the critical role of norms in holding practices together over time. Opportunities for destabilizing practices and challenging expectations around energy consumption are discussed, including the role of demonstration sites, the value of time and the significance of social networks.

Citation (ISO format)
SAHAKIAN, Marlyne. Constructing normality through material and social lock-in: The dynamics of energy consumption among Geneva’s more affluent households. In: Demanding energy. Space, time and change. Allison Hui, Rosie Day, Gordon Walker (Ed.). Berlin : Springer, 2018. p. 51–71. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-61991-0_3
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Book chapter (Published version)
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Additional URL for this publicationhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-61991-0_3
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Creation30/11/2017 15:31:00
First validation30/11/2017 15:31:00
Update15/03/2023 07:36:53
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