The Power of Commitment and ConsistencyLesson 1: The Psychology of Inner Responsibility and CommitmentLearning Objectives By the end of this lesson, students should be able to: Explain the concept of

The Power of Commitment and ConsistencyLesson 1: The Psychology of Inner Responsibility and CommitmentLearning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the concept of inner responsibility and its role in long-term behavioral change.
2. Describe the Freedman experiment and its implications for behavior modification.
3. Analyze the role of external rewards and threats in shaping personal commitment.
4. Apply psychological insights from the reading to real-world situations, particularly in parenting and education.

Lesson Content1. The Concept of Inner Responsibility

• People take ownership of their actions when they believe they have freely chosen them.
• External pressures (e.g., strong threats or large rewards) can undermine a sense of personal responsibility.
• Inner responsibility leads to lasting behavioral changes, whereas forced compliance does not.

2. The Freedman Experiment: The Forbidden Toy Study

• Study Setup: Boys aged 7–9 were told not to play with a robot toy.
  • Group 1: Given a severe threat (“I will be very angry and do something about it”).
  • Group 2: Given a mild statement (“It is wrong to play with the robot”).
• Findings:
  • Short-term: Both groups obeyed while being observed.
  • Long-term: The mild warning group internalized the belief that playing with the toy was wrong, while the severe threat group ignored the rule once the authority figure was absent.
• Implications:
  • Harsh punishment creates temporary compliance rather than long-term belief.
  • Encouraging inner responsibility leads to self-regulation.

3. Applications to Parenting and Teaching

• Parents should avoid heavy bribes or threats if they want children to adopt values sincerely.
• Mild, but meaningful reasoning encourages self-regulation (e.g., “Lying is wrong” vs. “Lying is wrong, and I’ll be disappointed”).
• Schools can encourage responsibility in students by fostering internal motivation rather than external punishments or rewards.

Assessment Activities1. Multiple-Choice Questions (Knowledge & Comprehension)

What was the key finding of the Freedman experiment?

• A) A strong threat led to long-term obedience.
• B) Mild reasoning led children to avoid the toy even weeks later.
• C) The children ignored all instructions.
• D) Large rewards increased commitment.

Why does a strong external threat fail to create long-term behavior change?

• A) People associate their behavior with the external pressure rather than their own beliefs.
• B) People always prefer to rebel.
• C) It makes the forbidden action more appealing.
• D) It immediately changes long-term beliefs.

Which of the following is not a reason why inner responsibility leads to stronger commitment?

• A) It allows people to believe they acted out of personal conviction.
• B) It encourages people to take ownership of their choices.
• C) It removes the need for external reinforcement.
• D) It ensures that people always follow rules without question.

What is a key takeaway for parents from the Freedman study?

• A) Harsh punishment is the best way to ensure obedience.
• B) Giving children too much freedom leads to disobedience.
• C) Mild reasoning helps children develop long-term self-control.
• D) Large material rewards are essential to reinforcing good behavior.

Why do large rewards undermine inner responsibility?

• A) They make people feel manipulated rather than personally invested.
• B) They increase compliance long-term.
• C) They are always ineffective.
• D) They reinforce the behavior permanently.

2. Short-Answer Questions (Application & Analysis)

Why does a large material reward reduce inner responsibility for an action? 

How can teachers use Freedman’s findings to encourage good behavior in students?