The de-escalation of commitment: predecisional accountability and cognitive processes

Moser K, Wolff HG, Kraft A (2013)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Journal

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Book Volume: 43

Pages Range: 363-376

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2012.01005.x

Abstract

Escalation of commitment describes the continuation of a course of action in spite of drawbacks and continuing insecurity of goal achievement. To prevent escalation and its associated costs, de-escalation techniques are valuable. The present study investigates predecisional accountability to an unknown audience as a de-escalation technique. In addition, the evolution of cognitive processes (reasons for persisting) during escalation is examined. As predicted, predecisional accountability has a de-escalating effect. In addition, escalation is accompanied by an increase of nonrational reasons for continuing the respective course of action, and decision makers without accountability provide more nonrational reasons for not quitting than those who are held accountable.

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How to cite

APA:

Moser, K., Wolff, H.-G., & Kraft, A. (2013). The de-escalation of commitment: predecisional accountability and cognitive processes. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 43(2), 363-376. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2012.01005.x

MLA:

Moser, Klaus, Hans-Georg Wolff, and Alexandra Kraft. "The de-escalation of commitment: predecisional accountability and cognitive processes." Journal of Applied Social Psychology 43.2 (2013): 363-376.

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