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Escalation of commitment is independent of numeracy and cognitive reflection. Failed replication and extension of Staw (1976)

Author

Listed:
  • Białek Michał

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, ul. Dawida 1, 50-527 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Węgrzyn Michał

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, ul. Dawida 1, 50-527 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Meyers Ethan A.

    (Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology Building, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

Abstract

First demonstrated by Staw (1976), escalation of commitment is the tendency for an individual to increase their commitment to a failing course of action when they are personally responsible for the negative consequences. An attempt was made to replicate this finding and test whether individual differences in numeracy and cognitive reflection could help explain such an effect. No evidence for escalation of commitment amongst the participants was found (N = 365). Participants simply invested more in more promising projects. Also, no evidence was found that numeracy or cognitive reflection predict escalation behaviour. The validity of escalation of commitment behaviour is discussed which suggests that future work should look to explore the boundary conditions of such an effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Białek Michał & Węgrzyn Michał & Meyers Ethan A., 2021. "Escalation of commitment is independent of numeracy and cognitive reflection. Failed replication and extension of Staw (1976)," Economics and Business Review, Sciendo, vol. 7(2), pages 5-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:ecobur:v:7:y:2021:i:2:p:5-16:n:6
    DOI: 10.18559/ebr.2021.2.2
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    escalation of commitment; sunk cost; numeracy; cognitive reflection;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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