Meyer and Allen (1991; Allen & Meyer, 1990) initially developed their three-component model to address observed similarities and differences in existing uni dimensional conceptualizations of
organizational commitment (e.g., H. S. Becker, 1960; Mowday et al., 1982; Wiener, 1982). Common to all, they argued, was the belief that commitment binds an individual to an organization and
thereby reduces the likelihood of turnover. The main differences were in the mindsets presumed to characterize the commitment.
These mindsets reflected three distinguishable themes: affective
attachment to the organization, obligation to remain, and perceived
cost of leaving. To distinguish among commitments characterized
by these different mindsets, Meyer and Allen labeled them “affective
commitment,” “normative commitment,” and “continuance
commitment,” respectively.