Soft Commitments, Reminders, and Academic Performance

Oliver Himmler, Robert Jäckle and Philipp Weinschenk

American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2019, vol. 11, issue 2, 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.

JEL-codes: C93 D12 D91 I23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
Note: DOI: 10.1257/app.20170288
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (30)

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Working Paper: Soft Commitments, Reminders and Academic Performance (2017)
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