Beyond frequency: Habit as mental construct
Abstract
Progress in habit theory can be made by distinguishing habit from frequency of occurrence, and using independent measures for these constructs. This proposition was investigated in three studies using a longitudinal, cross‐sectional and experimental design on eating, mental habits and word processing, respectively. In Study 1, snacking habit and past snacking frequency independently predicted later snacking behaviour, while controlling for the theory of planned behaviour variables. Habit fully mediated the effect of past on later behaviour. In Study 2, habitual negative self‐thinking and past frequency of negative self‐thoughts independently predicted self‐esteem and the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms. In Study 3, habit varied as a function of experimentally manipulated task complexity, while behavioural frequency was held constant. Taken together, while repetition is necessary for habits to develop, these studies demonstrate that habit should not be equated with frequency of occurrence, but rather should be considered as a mental construct involving features of automaticity, such as lack of awareness, difficulty to control and mental efficiency.
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For the same number of repetitions a simple behaviour has a higher habit score than a complex behaviour.
“It has also been used to show that for the same number of repetitions a simple behaviour has a higher habit score than a complex behaviour (Verplanken, 2006).”
From How are habits formed: modelling habit formation in the real world (2010) · cites this paper as Verplanken, 2006
In Verplanken's study, the number of repetitions was restricted, leaving it possible that the complex task could become as habitual as the simple task with more repetitions.
“However, in his study, the number of repetitions was restricted, leaving it possible that the complex task could become as habitual as the simple task with more repetitions.”
From How are habits formed: modelling habit formation in the real world (2010) · cites this paper as Verplanken, 2006
Verplanken's (2006) findings have suggested that complex behaviours achieve lower levels of automaticity than simple behaviours.
“Verplanken's (2006) findings have suggested that complex behaviours achieve lower levels of automaticity than simple behaviours.”
From How are habits formed: modelling habit formation in the real world (2010) · cites this paper as Verplanken, 2006
Frequency cannot distinguish between reasoned and automatic action because, in unvarying contexts, both repeated deliberation and habit can result in the same pattern of frequent behaviour.
“but frequency cannot distinguish between reasoned and automatic action because, in unvarying contexts, both repeated deliberation and habit can result in the same pattern of frequent behaviour [23,24].”
From A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Applications of the Self-Report Habit Index to Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviours (2011) · cites this paper as [24]
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“…is the present and future, with far less attention paid to historical insights than in mainstream CT. Therapists aim to model and actively reinforce a (realistically) positive and future-oriented cognitive and interpersonal style (MacLeod, 2017; Vilhauer, 2014; Verplanken, 2006; Wood & Neal, 2007).”
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- Authors
- Verplanken, B.
- Affiliations
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway (NO)
- Corresponding author
- Verplanken, Bas
- ORCID
- Verplanken, Bas
- Venue
- British Journal of Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006-09
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 639-656
- ISSN
- 0144-6665 (ISSN-L)
- 2044-8309
- OpenAlex
- W2019356367
- Cited by
- 648
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 20 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 88 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 37
- FWCI
- 29.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Environmental Education and Sustainability
- Keywords
- habit, frequency of occurrence, habit formation, automaticity, snacking, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, theory of planned behavior, task complexity, word processing, mental efficiency
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Habits, Humans, Male, Mental Processes, Models, Theoretical, Norway, Psychology, Surveys and Questionnaires, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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