Soft Commitments, Reminders, and Academic Performance
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 11,
no. 2, April 2019
(pp. 114-42)
Abstract
We provide first evidence that a soft commitment device enhances progress in education and, more generally, improves the completion of complex tasks—such as passing exams. In our field experiment, students can sign a nonbinding agreement and commit to staying on track for graduation. We find that those who were offered the soft commitment device are more likely to sign up for, take part in, and pass exams. A pure reminder treatment does not change behavior, which suggests that the effects are not driven by increased salience. We also show that procrastinators benefit most from the commitment device.Citation
Himmler, Oliver, Robert Jäckle, and Philipp Weinschenk. 2019. "Soft Commitments, Reminders, and Academic Performance." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 11 (2): 114-42. DOI: 10.1257/app.20170288Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- C93 Field Experiments
- D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
- D91 Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
- I23 Higher Education; Research Institutions
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