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.
