AI reviewed · sources pending. Book associations have not been verified.

Commitment and consistency

Concept

A prior choice can create pressure to make later behavior fit that choice.

Explanation or usage

A commitment can influence later action by shaping self-image or how a person expects to be seen. Active and freely chosen commitments can make the consistency motive salient. Consistency can support worthwhile goals, but maintaining an earlier choice is not always justified when evidence changes.

Common misunderstandings

A consistent decision is necessarily a correct decision.

In Influence

General context reviewed · book attribution and sources pending

Freely chosen commitments can influence later actions, but they are not necessarily irreversible promises.

Linked books

Practice this item

Why can consistency with an earlier choice sometimes lead to a poor decision? Illustrative volunteer: after freely signing a statement supporting a cleanup, Alex feels pressure to join a related event to match that earlier choice. Which motive best fits?