Changing behavior by memory aids: A social psychological model of prospective memory and habit development tested with dynamic field data.
Abstract
This article presents a social psychological model of prospective memory and habit development. The model is based on relevant research literature, and its dynamics were investigated by computer simulations. Time-series data from a behavior-change campaign in Cuba were used for calibration and validation of the model. The model scored well in several system-analytical tests, including the replication of the data and the forecast of later developments based on earlier data. Additionally, the calibrated parameter values indicate that the accessibilities of intentions decay at the same rate as retrospective memories. However, the accessibilities may stay high due to a reminder, the effectiveness of which depends on a person's commitment to performing the behavior. Furthermore, the effect of the reminder decays over time. This decay is much slower than the development of habits, which, after about a month, were nearly fully developed if the person had executed the behavior sufficiently often. Finally, over time, habits were shown to replace the reminding effect of the external memory aid. This article points to a new understanding of the role of habits in supporting the performance of repeated behaviors through remembering.
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More passive reminders in the form of physical signs, although helpful in prompting initial repetition and habit formation, ultimately lost potency over time.
“More passive reminders in the form of physical signs, although helpful in prompting initial repetition and habit formation, ultimately lost potency over time (Tobias 2009).”
From Psychology of Habit. (2016) · cites this paper as Tobias 2009
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BackgroundResultReflections on Past Behavior: A Self‐Report Index of Habit Strength <sup>1</sup>
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- Authors
- Tobias, R.
- Affiliations
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Tobias, Robert
- ORCID
- Tobias, Robert
- Venue
- Psychological Review
- Published
- 2009
- Volume
- 116
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 408-438
- ISSN
- 0033-295X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1471
- OpenAlex
- W2154133520
- Cited by
- 165
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 10.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Review (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion)
- DORA Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag)) (submittedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Environmental Education and Sustainability
- Keywords
- prospective memory, habit formation, memory aids, behavior change, social-psychological model, computer simulation, memory decay, reminders, behavior change campaigns, Cuba
- MeSH terms
- Computer Simulation, Conservation of Natural Resources, Cuba, Habits, Humans, Memory, Models, Psychological, Reproducibility of Results, Reminder Systems
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