Category: Automaticity

Willpower versus Unhealthy Temptations – Spoiler Alert – Willpower Usually Loses

Posted on Dominika KwasnickaPosted in Automaticity, Habit

By Amanda Rebar, Central Queensland University, Australia It will come as no surprise that evidence shows people do not always behave in ways that are best for their long-term health. For example, most people are aware that exercise is good for their physical and mental health, but comparatively far fewer people exercise regularly. When a […]

Getting into the habit: Applying the science of habit-formation to the real-world

Posted on Dominika KwasnickaLeave a commentPosted in Automaticity, Habit

By Benjamin Gardner, King’s College London What is a ‘habit’? Why do we eat popcorn while watching movies? The answer, for most, is that eating popcorn is a habitual response to watching movies. Psychologists define ‘habitual’ behaviours as actions that happen automatically, due to learned associations between situations (the movie theatre) and our responses to […]