Effects of the Binding Communication Paradigm on Attitudes

The binding communication approach is situated at the intersection of research on persuasive communication and commitment. Binding communication refers to the combination of a preparatory act involving commitment and a persuasive message. Two studies showed that differences in attitudes toward recycling (Study 1) or swimming (Study 2) are more likely to occur following a persuasive message combined with a preparatory act involving commitment (i.e., binding communication) as compared to either technique alone. Specifically, in Study 1 we observed a more favorable attitude toward recycling in the binding communication condition compared to the conditions involving only a preparatory act involving commitment or only a persuasive message. In Study 2, we replicated the results of Study 1 and examined the effect on attitudes of performing a preparatory act with a strong versus weak level of commitment when this was preceded versus not preceded by a persuasive message.