Precommitment

What is precommitment?

Precommitment is an arrangement made in advance that restricts future options or makes departure from a plan more costly. It can be used when a person expects their later choices to conflict with their present goal.

Bryan, Karlan, and Nelson (2010) review commitment devices, including arrangements with hard restrictions and softer psychological or social consequences. Their account distinguishes whether people want a device from whether it helps them.

Precommitment examples

A voluntary restriction on withdrawals is a possible example. Setting an app to block distracting websites during a planned work period is another: it changes which sites can be accessed later. The relevant question is what future choice the arrangement changes.

Benefits and costs of precommitment

Commitment can also reduce useful flexibility when circumstances change. Evaluate its actual terms, effects, and costs rather than equate adherence to a plan with improved wellbeing.