Meta-analyses were performed on research investigating the foot-in-the-door phenomenon. A total of 120 experimental groups were examined, as well as a subset of the research considered to be pure tests of the foot-in-the-door hypothesis. The statistical combinations were consistent in indicating that the phenomenon, although replicable, is weak and not nearly as robust as assumed. Nearly half of the studies either produced no effects or effects in the wrong direction. The common self-perception explanation was found to be imprecise in leading to clear predictions; nevertheless, data were presented that have implications for the theory. A number of potentially mediating variables were examined. New theorctical development and clarification of underlying proceses are needed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.