Microcommitments: The Effect of Small Commitments on Student Success

Amanda J. Felkey, Eva Dziadula, Eric P. Chiang and Jose Vazquez

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2021, vol. 111, 92-96

Abstract: We conducted a randomized control trial with nearly 1,000 students to test whether using a text-message-based tool that provides small commitments with social accountability helps students procrastinate less and maintain engagement with course material, yielding improved academic performance. All students received identical content via text message, but the treatment group engaged with an online platform encouraging commitments and featuring a social feed with rankings. The analysis reveals that microcommitments with social accountability improved academic performance relative to students who received simple nudges. The increase is equivalent to 3 percentage points on an exam, driven by online and hybrid classes.

JEL-codes: D91 I28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20211043

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