Accession Number:

AD0478519

Title:

AVOIDANCE OF COMMITMENT AND NEED FOR CLOSURE AS DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIOR IN DECISION SITUATIONS.

Descriptive Note:

Research rept.,

Corporate Author:

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIV ALEXANDRIA VA HUMAN RESOURCES RESEARCH OFFICE

Personal Author(s):

• Snyder, Richard
• Mills, Judson

Report Date:

1963-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

24.0

Abstract:

Investigation was made of behavior in decision situations involving choice among mutually exclusive alternatives, in which action did not necessarily have to be taken. Three hypotheses were tested which concerned the influence of certain variables upon the tendency to avoid commitment to a specific course of action. Choices were recorded by subjects in a four-part questionnaire. Results were analyzed in terms of several variables and their experimental manipulations. It was concluded that a subject, in a situation in which he does not need to take action in order to know the outcome, will not be likely to express his real preference unless that preference is strong. Author

Descriptors:

• (*DECISION MAKING
• SELECTION)
• MOTIVATION
• BEHAVIOR
• MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY
• PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
• THEORY
• DECISION THEORY
• EROSION
• STATISTICAL PROCESSES

Subject Categories:

• Psychology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE