Consistency Trap

A consistency trap is the act of making a person state something, usually in the first person, which forces them to act in accordance to what they stated.

This is due to the principle of consistency. We are likely to continue doing what we already do (or stated we would do) and act in accordance to it, because we don’t want to go back on our word or seem inconsistent.

It’s the basis for techniques such as:

• Escalation of commitment;
• Identity labeling;
• Intent labeling;
• Value identity contradictions;