the remoteness of the action commitment

[cannonkuo]

People facing such stress resort to techniques for defensive avoidance,” often by what Janis calls “bolstering.” Bolstering includes such things as exaggerating favorable consequences, downplaying unfavorable consequences, denying uneasy feelings, exaggerating the remoteness of the action commitment, downplaying the extent to which others will see what is happening, and downplaying personal responsibility. (Essence of Decision, pp.283-284)

Does the remoteness of the action commitment mean "unlikeliness of action promise" in the sentence?
Thank you very much.

 

[Rover_KE]

Please tell us the name of the author of the quoted text as well as its source.

 

[cannonkuo]

Please tell us the name of the author of the quoted text as well as its source.

Graham T. Allison, and Philip Zelikow, Essence of Decision, Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis, pp.283-284

 

[jutfrank]

An 'action commitment' is a first-step action that commits the agent to his decision.

I understand remoteness here to mean 'distance', in the sense of having a present consequential impact. The consequences of the action are felt as 'far away' (or further away) than they really are.

 

[cannonkuo]

An 'action commitment' is a first-step action that commits the agent to his decision.

I understand remoteness here to mean 'distance', in the sense of having a present consequential impact. The consequences of the action are felt as 'far away' (or further away) than they really are.

Thank you, jutfrank.
So, in other words, it's nearly unlikely to promise for action?

 

[jutfrank]

it's nearly unlikely to promise for action

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.

 

[cannonkuo]

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.

I mean: Can the phrase the remoteness of the action commitment also be interpreted as "nearly unlikely to give action commitment"?
Thank you.

 

[jutfrank]

No. Remoteness is not unlikeliness in this case.

 

[Tdol]

If you distance yourself from the decision-making centre, you are distancing yourself from the responsibility for unpleasant actions- you have to do something because you are compelled to do something, rather than wanting to do something. I don't want to fire you, Cannonkuo, but I have to tell you that you have no future in this company.... (Only kidding- I am trying to distance myself from the decision. And you're welcome.)