I think the elitism part is precisely in the lack of this kind of shame-precommitment: elites have discretionary goals, doing what they want, not what they must to get ahead, and thus need constant motivation.

I think it's quite the reverse: elites have strong shame-precommittment, it's only a few levels higher. All your family went to Harvard and you're going to fail?? Your ancestors have Ph.Ds three generations back and you're not enrolling in a graduate program?? X-D

Of course I mean elites not of the Kardashian kind.