Psy 250 - Psychology of Personality - Habit Forming

Habit Forming

Gregory E. Ward

PSY/250 - PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY

December 12, 2012

Jean Porter

INTRODUCTION

Most often we go through life in aware of our habit or even the cause of them. Doing research for the paper has really opened my eyes to what a true habit is. We a people that learn through observing, other we value rewards. So it goes without saying that there are many habits that I still am not aware of.

HABIT

Thinking on a habit of mine proved to be more challenging than I originally thought it would be. I don't have any habits that really stand out I had to ask my family if they've noticed any and it was quite difficult for them. But we they came up with some that I wasn't aware and I feel they might have some merit. One is I never take anything statement with a follow up question or series of questions. So for example is a person were say that they moon control the tides. I would ask, how, why who do you know this.

I just can't accept something as is, if I don't read it myself I really do know what Im talking about or maybe someone left out information. But if authorities in that field relay the information to me I ok with the data. My brother can tell me one thing about the a train being late and I would research that information online but someone who works for the transit system can say the same thing and I'm fine with it. My next habit is a simpler one whenever I'm thinking, reading or just figure things out I tug on my earlobes. I can honestly say that I've been tugging on my earlobe since I was a 3 year old. Back then it was the equal to maybe a child sucking there thumb. Being so young when I start I can't nor do I believe anyone influence this habit of mine. I'm the only one in my family until recently that does it. it should be mention that my only niece is 3yrs old now and she has adopted my habit with a twist. The first 2 years of my niece life she lived in the same house as me so I saw her every day. Toward the end of year I she would nurse and grab the ear of the person feed her, her bottle. She would grab whoever ear was putting her to sleep and reach for it in her sleep. Now 3yrs old she will climb on top on my while I'm working or watch television watch tv and grab my ear the whole time she there. Her father my younger brother believe since I babysat here so often that she twist my habit into her own version. But going back to my habit I have never tried to quit, it's not a habit that interferes with my everyday life so I will keep it.

BREAKING A HABIT

All habits start in pattern called a "habit loop," it's a three-part stage. First, there are called cues, or trigger, that relay to our brains to go into auto function mode and let a behavior develop. The routine is the 2nd step which is the behavior. The 3rd process is the reward anything that our brain enjoys that will helps it remember the "habit loop" for the future. In order to break the habit I will need to break my routine that engages the habit loop. Trying to break the habit all together is very difficult. Changing your environment limit your engagement with certain people who encourage your habit. Create barriers to the habit finding people you know that doesn't like habit. Use those people like anchors, and try stay around them whenever you have an urge. Apply a placeholder. Replace our habits with new and positive thing in our lives. Do not concentrate on not doing the habit; instead think about "doing." something else.

SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY

Looking at