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Soft Commitments, Reminders, and Academic Performance

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  • Oliver Himmler
  • Robert Jäckle
  • Philipp Weinschenk

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver Himmler & Robert Jäckle & Philipp Weinschenk, 2019. "Soft Commitments, Reminders, and Academic Performance," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 11(2), pages 114-142, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:114-42
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/app.20170288
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    5. Stefan C. Wolter & Maria Zumbuehl, 2017. "The native-migrant gap in the progression into and through upper-secondary education," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0139, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).
    6. Antonia Grohmann & Tabea Lakemann & Helke Seitz, 2020. "Savings Goal Calendars as Soft Commitment Devices: Evidence from Small Business Owners in Uganda," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1919, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    7. Isphording, Ingo E. & Raabe, Tobias, 2019. "Early Identification of College Dropouts Using Machine-Learning: Conceptual Considerations and an Empirical Example," IZA Research Reports 89, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Lars Behlen & Oliver Himmler & Robert Jäckle, 2023. "Defaults and effortful tasks," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 26(5), pages 1022-1059, November.
    9. Bisin, Alberto & Hyndman, Kyle, 2020. "Present-bias, procrastination and deadlines in a field experiment," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 339-357.
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    12. Raphael Brade & Oliver Himmler & Robert Jaeckle & Philipp Weinschenk, 2024. "Helping Students to Succeed – The Long-Term Effects of Soft Commitments and Reminders," CESifo Working Paper Series 11001, CESifo.
    13. Amann, Erwin & Rzepka, Sylvi, 2023. "The effect of goal-setting prompts in a blended learning environment—evidence from a field experiment," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    14. Behlen, Lars & Himmler, Oliver & Jaeckle, Robert, 2022. "Can defaults change behavior when post-intervention effort is required? Evidence from education," MPRA Paper 112962, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Katare, Bhagyashree, 2021. "Do low-cost economic incentives motivate healthy behavior?," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    16. Pugatch, Todd & Schroeder, Elizabeth & Wilson, Nicholas, 2022. "Study More Tomorrow," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1115, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    17. Wagner, Valentin, 2022. "Heterogeneous effects of grade framing," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    18. Essl, Andrea & Steffen, Angela & Staehle, Martin, 2021. "Choose to reuse! The effect of action-close reminders on pro-environmental behavior," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    19. Nafziger, Julia & Kaiser, Jonas P. & Koch, Alexander K, 2021. "Self-Set Goals Are Effective Self-Regulation Tools -- Despite Goal Revision," CEPR Discussion Papers 15716, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    20. Gershoni, Naomi & Stryjan, Miri, 2023. "Do Deadlines Affect Project Completion? Experimental Evidence from Israeli Vocational Colleges," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 359-375.
    21. Nicholls, Nicky, 2023. "Procrastination and grades: Can students be nudged towards better outcomes?," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    22. Maurício Benegas & José Raimundo Carvalho & Márcio Veras Corrêa, 2022. "Non‐aggression commitments and domestic violence margins," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(1), pages 67-99, January.
    23. Brade, Raphael & Himmler, Oliver & Jäckle, Robert, 2018. "Normatively Framed Relative Performance Feedback – Field Experiment and Replication," MPRA Paper 88830, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    24. Amanda J. Felkey & Eva Dziadula & Eric P. Chiang, 2023. "Does Social Accountability Motivate Commitment Behavior Among College Students?," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 29(4), pages 293-301, November.
    25. Eduard Alonso-Pauli & Pau Balart & Lara Ezquerra & Inigo Hernandez-Arenaz, 2022. "Understanding Soft Commitment: Evidence from a Field Experiment on Recycling," Documentos de Trabajo - Lan Gaiak Departamento de Economía - Universidad Pública de Navarra 2201, Departamento de Economía - Universidad Pública de Navarra.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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