Messages that are tailored to specific audiences (matched messages) are typically more persuasive compared tomessages that are crafted for a general audience (Hirsh, Kang, & Bodenhauser, 2012). However, tailoring messages can havethe effect that messages are less persuasive for audiences for which they were not tailored (mismatched messages; Sillince,Jarzabkowski, & Shaw, 2012). Eisenberg (1984) introduced the concept of strategic ambiguity to appeal to multiple audiencessimultaneously. We systematically compared effects of matched/mismatched tailored messages with the effects of ambiguousmessages on multiple-criteria choice behavior. We found evidence that ambiguous messages can be used under certain con-ditions to simultaneously appeal to multiple audiences within the context of credit card choices. Using the financial controltypology developed by Shefrin and Nicols (2014) to define different audiences, the study (154 participants) provided somesupport for the use of ambiguity as a tool for tailoring messages to diverse credit-card holders.

What affects people’s behavior when they dispose items? The distance hypothesis predicts that the number ofmisplaced items is a function of the distance of an appropriate bin. We categorized and mapped bins at 140 locations onthe campus of a major research university in the Midwest and calculated the distances between adjacent bins. The distancehypothesis predicts that users dispose more recyclables in single, isolated trash bins than in trash bins that are paired withrecycling bins. Likewise, it is expected that more trash items can be found in isolated compared to paired recycling bins. Weconducted a field study that involved systematic comparisons of matched locations and focused on behavioral data that wereobtained through systematic audits of trash and recycling bins. The study provided partial support for the distance hypothesis,which was supported for certain items. The role of item difficulty and weather conditions will be discussed.