What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to identify factors that influence how habits form and degrade over time.

May 1, 20260 citations

What Makes a Habit? Investigating Potential Determinants of Habit Formation.

SBSebastian BürglerUniversity of Zurich MMMarina MilyavskayaCarleton University GMGail McMillanCarleton University

Key Points

This research aims to identify factors that influence how habits form and degrade over time.
Monthly surveys assessing behavioral automaticity and potential determinants with N=254 participants.
Cluster analyses to identify habit trajectories based on behavioral complexity and frequency.
Multilevel models to evaluate relationships between six determinants and habit strength.
Six determinants significantly associated with habit strength: autonomous motivation, behavior frequency, context stability, feeling energized, feeling pleased, and perceived difficulty.
A significant interaction between time and behavior frequency was observed after correcting for multiple testing.
Findings highlight the dynamic nature of habit formation and degradation.

Abstract

= 254) completed monthly surveys assessing behavioral automaticity (i.e., habit) and 10 potential determinants. Cluster analyses revealed two trajectories: habit formation and habit degradation, with cluster membership differing by behavioral complexity, frequency, and context stability. Multilevel models showed that six determinants were significantly associated with habit strength: autonomous motivation, behavior frequency, context stability, feeling energized, feeling pleased (positive), and perceived difficulty (negative). A significant interaction between time and behavior frequency emerged after correcting for multiple testing. Findings underscore the dynamic nature of habits and suggest that tailored interventions may be especially important during early formation and to prevent later degradation.

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