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Soft Commitments, Reminders and Academic Performance

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  • Himmler, Oliver
  • Jaeckle, Robert
  • Weinschenk, Philipp

Abstract

A large share of students in higher education graduates with delay or fails to obtain a degree at all. In our field experiment, students can sign a non-binding agreement and self-commit to staying on track for graduation. We provide first evidence that soft commitment devices can enhance educational progress and -- more generally -- improve the completion of complex tasks such as passing exams. A pure reminder treatment does not change behavior, suggesting that the effects are not driven by increased salience. As predicted by a simple decision model, we show that procrastinators benefit most from the soft commitment device.

Suggested Citation

  • Himmler, Oliver & Jaeckle, Robert & Weinschenk, Philipp, 2017. "Soft Commitments, Reminders and Academic Performance," MPRA Paper 76832, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:76832
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    6. Koch, Alexander K. & Nafziger, Julia, 2020. "Motivational goal bracketing: An experiment," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    7. Pugatch, Todd & Schroeder, Elizabeth & Wilson, Nicholas, 2022. "Study More Tomorrow," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1115, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    8. 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.
    9. Sören Pannier & Ulrich Rendtel & Hartmut Gerks, 2020. "Die Prognose von Studienerfolg und Studienabbruch auf Basis von Umfrage- und administrativen Prüfungsdaten," AStA Wirtschafts- und Sozialstatistisches Archiv, Springer;Deutsche Statistische Gesellschaft - German Statistical Society, vol. 14(3), pages 225-266, December.
    10. 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).
    11. 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).
    12. Lars Behlen & Oliver Himmler & Robert Jäckle, 2023. "Defaults and effortful tasks," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 26(5), pages 1022-1059, November.
    13. Luca A. Panzone & Natasha Auch & Daniel John Zizzo, 2024. "Nudging the Food Basket Green: The Effects of Commitment and Badges on the Carbon Footprint of Food Shopping," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 87(1), pages 89-133, January.
    14. 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.
    15. 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.
    16. Wagner, Valentin, 2022. "Heterogeneous effects of grade framing," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    17. 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.
    18. 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.
    19. Shoji, Masahiro & Cato, Susumu & Ito, Asei & Iida, Takashi & Ishida, Kenji & Katsumata, Hiroto & McElwain, Kenneth Mori, 2022. "Mobile health technology as a solution to self-control problems: The behavioral impact of COVID-19 contact tracing apps in Japan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    20. 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.
    21. 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).
    22. 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.
    23. Nicholls, Nicky, 2023. "Procrastination and grades: Can students be nudged towards better outcomes?," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    24. Brade, Raphael & Himmler, Oliver & Jäckle, Robert, 2018. "Normatively Framed Relative Performance Feedback – Field Experiment and Replication," MPRA Paper 88830, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    25. 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.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Commitment Device; Reminder; Procrastination; Education; Field Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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