Lecture 7 Assignment – Habits & automatic influence
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1. Describe the main gist of the habit discontinuity approach, advocated by
Verplanken and Roy (2016). [1 point]
→ The habit discontinuity approach states that interventions in the field of behaviour change
are more effective when there are major habit disruptions. These habit disruptions may take
place during life course changes, such as changing from a student to becoming an
employee. When life course changes take place, the mind of a person will be more open for
changing (old) habits and adopting new habits.
2. Verplanken and Roy (2016) argue that moving house provides a good
opportunity for behavior change. What reasons do the give for this statement?
Illustrate your answer with findings from their study. [2 points]
→ Their results show that moving house provides a good opportunity for behaviour change,
because when old habits are temporarily broken, people are more likely to take on new
information and adopt a certain mindset with which they are more likely to change their
behaviour.
A lot of habits are broken, because they are based on the previous context (for example,
their previous house with a certain route to their children's school, always passing by
McDonalds). So, the context is really important since habits depend on the context. A life
course change breaks these habits, such as moving. People are then also more likely to
change aspects of their life. So, when people start living in a new neighbourhood and use a
new route to the new work, there are new possibilities for behaviour change. So, for
example, not getting snacks when they go home from school.
3. Explain the concept of ‘automatic goal pursuit’ (Neal et al., 2011). [1 point]
→ Automatic goal pursuit is the pursuit of a goal without conscious intention, so you have an
automatic strategy for dealing with your environment.
4. In their article on the persistence of habitual behavior, Neal and colleagues
(2011) argue that strong habits persist [1 point]
A even when people hold conflicting goals
B unless people hold conflicting goals
C even when the context of past behavior changed
D unless people regard the behavior as unwanted
→ Correct answer: A
5. In their article on habit formation and change, Carden and Wood (2018) argue
that habits and self-control are more closely associated than has been assumed.
Explain in your own words why this is the case according to these authors. [2
points]
----
1. Describe the main gist of the habit discontinuity approach, advocated by
Verplanken and Roy (2016). [1 point]
→ The habit discontinuity approach states that interventions in the field of behaviour change
are more effective when there are major habit disruptions. These habit disruptions may take
place during life course changes, such as changing from a student to becoming an
employee. When life course changes take place, the mind of a person will be more open for
changing (old) habits and adopting new habits.
2. Verplanken and Roy (2016) argue that moving house provides a good
opportunity for behavior change. What reasons do the give for this statement?
Illustrate your answer with findings from their study. [2 points]
→ Their results show that moving house provides a good opportunity for behaviour change,
because when old habits are temporarily broken, people are more likely to take on new
information and adopt a certain mindset with which they are more likely to change their
behaviour.
A lot of habits are broken, because they are based on the previous context (for example,
their previous house with a certain route to their children's school, always passing by
McDonalds). So, the context is really important since habits depend on the context. A life
course change breaks these habits, such as moving. People are then also more likely to
change aspects of their life. So, when people start living in a new neighbourhood and use a
new route to the new work, there are new possibilities for behaviour change. So, for
example, not getting snacks when they go home from school.
3. Explain the concept of ‘automatic goal pursuit’ (Neal et al., 2011). [1 point]
→ Automatic goal pursuit is the pursuit of a goal without conscious intention, so you have an
automatic strategy for dealing with your environment.
4. In their article on the persistence of habitual behavior, Neal and colleagues
(2011) argue that strong habits persist [1 point]
A even when people hold conflicting goals
B unless people hold conflicting goals
C even when the context of past behavior changed
D unless people regard the behavior as unwanted
→ Correct answer: A
5. In their article on habit formation and change, Carden and Wood (2018) argue
that habits and self-control are more closely associated than has been assumed.
Explain in your own words why this is the case according to these authors. [2
points]
