Research has shown that reminders can be highly effective at increasing follow-through on intentions and tasks:

  • Simple reminders that provide details on timing and location are effective at increasing attendance at appointments[1].
  • Reminders can dramatically increase success at following through on intentions by associating them with distinctive cues that will capture attention when opportunities arise to act[2].
  • Reminders act as cues to counteract prospective memory failures and help people remember to complete tasks[3].

Impact on Response Rates

Reminders have been shown to significantly boost response rates in various contexts:

  • In one study, the response rate increased from 17.9% before a reminder to 64.2% after a reminder, although the reminders were sent by postal mail rather than email[4].
  • Another study found that the response rate increased from 39.9% before a reminder to 53.6% after an email reminder was sent[4].
  • A review of 68 online panel studies found that the more reminders used, the higher the response rate tended to be[4].

However, reminders may have a negative impact on retention rates, with preliminary evidence suggesting people who participate before a reminder are less likely to drop out than those who participate after a reminder[4].

Factors Influencing Effectiveness

The effectiveness of reminders depends on several factors:

  • Reminders are more potent when the cues they employ are distinctive relative to other regularly encountered stimuli and stimuli encountered concurrently[2].
  • Cue-based reminders can be more effective than written or electronic reminder messages, especially in environments with other written signage[2].
  • Reminders are undervalued and underused by many people, suggesting they are naive about the benefits of this approach to overcoming remembering challenges[2].

In summary, reminders can be a powerful tool for increasing follow-through on intentions and tasks, but their effectiveness depends on factors such as the distinctiveness of associated cues and how they are deployed relative to other stimuli. Reminders can significantly boost response rates but may negatively impact retention in some contexts.

Citations:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK260110/

[2] https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/todd_rogers/files/reminders_through_association_2016.pdf

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK260107/

[4] https://www.goeritz.net/AJE.pdf

[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/reminder-system