Foot-in-the-door Phenomenon

         Often people find themselves is situations where the foot-in-the-door phenomenon happens to them.  According to Myers (2013) the definition of foot-in-the-door phenomenon would be “the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request” (p.129).  The biggest situation where this type of phenomenon occurs is when people volunteer to have a small part in something and then later on be pushed into volunteering for bigger parts.  These situations can have a negative outcome and can sometimes become rather inconvenient to the person stuck in the situation. 

            I graduated in 2002 with an associated degree in health science with the emphasis in radiological technology. After receiving my license as a radiologic technologist I was hired for first shift in a major hospital.  I was very excited to get hired for first shift because there were rumors that new out of school technologist usually start with the shifts no one wants such as second shift and third shift.  About three months after I was hired I was asked if I could cover second shift for another technologist because she was going out for surgery.  Being a new technologist and wanting to prove that I was a team player I agreed.  So for six weeks while the other technologist was on leave I worked the dreaded second shift.  After the technologist came back from leave I was transferred back to first shift and sent to work at our outpatient centers.  I was exactly where I wanted to be with my dream job.   After about six months I was again asked to cover the second shift.  A technologist had left and they needed someone to cover the second shift until they hired another person.  I was assured it would be just like the first time that I agreed to work second shift, as soon as they hire for the second shift I would be back on first shift so they told me it would be for four weeks at the most.  Well, the four weeks they guaranteed turned into over six years of working second shift. 

            I believe my situation exemplifies the foot-in-the-door phenomenon because I volunteered for a small amount of time but was pushed to comply with a longer time.  I was told by my boss that since I had volunteered to work second shift both times that he felt I was fine with a permanent position on second shift.  Later, I found out that the person they hired told them that she was only able to work day shift so if she could not have day shift she would not take the job so they hired her anyways sticking me permanently on second shift.  As Myers (2013) stated:

The foot-in-the-door phenomenon is a lesson worth remembering. Someone trying to seduce us—financially, politically, or sexually—will often use this technique to create a momentum of compliance. The practical lesson: Before agreeing to a small request, think about what may follow. (p. 130).

From my experience, I have learned to think about any long term effects that might result before I agree to any type of volunteering.  

Reference

Myers, D. (2013).  Social Psychology (11^th ed.).  New York: McGraw Hill.