Commitment Device
We are more likely to adopt a behaviour when we make a private or public promise.
The research
A field experiment with a hotel revealed that reuse of towels were 25% higher amongst guests who made a pledge to reuse towels at check-in and wore a "Friend of the Earth" lapel pin to show their commitment to this pledge.
Baca-Motes, K et al. (2012). Commitment and behavior change: Evidence from the field.
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.
Case study
The website 'Stickk.com' is based on commitment devices. It allows individuals or groups to make commitments for a specific goal e.g. quit smoking. If the person does not stick to their commitment, they need to donate money to a charity.
Thought starters
Ask people to make pledges for a specific action
Make it visible to remind them of this commitment
Get people to share their pledges with friends and family