It is easy to look at procrastination, constant phone use, or difficulty staying consistent and say that someone needs more discipline. The research suggests that the issue can be more complicated. Some behaviors give an immediate reward, become connected to repeated situations, and grow harder to control over time (Grant et al., 2010) (Wood & Rünger, 2016).
“produce short-term reward that may engender persistent behavior”
In simpler terms, a behavior that feels rewarding right away can become easier to repeat. The person may still understand the consequences, but the immediate reward is available before those consequences arrive.
Habit research adds another piece. When the same action is repeated in the same context, such as the same room, the same time of day, or the same mood, the action can start to happen with less deliberate thought (Wood & Rünger, 2016). That is my own application of the research to everyday student life: the problem is often the setup around the behavior, not just the willpower behind it.
Ordinary habit or serious problem?
Ordinary habit
- The person can usually stop when needed
- It does not seriously interfere with responsibilities
- The behavior remains under control
Concerning pattern
- The person repeatedly loses control
- The behavior continues despite negative consequences
- It begins interfering with school, sleep, work, health, or relationships
A note on language: This website is not diagnosing addiction. It is showing how reward, repetition, and loss of control can exist on a spectrum.
Sources Used on This Page
Grant, J. E., Potenza, M. N., Weinstein, A., & Gorelick, D. A. (2010). Introduction to behavioral addictions. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 36(5), 233–241. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2010.491884
Wood, W., & Rünger, D. (2016). Psychology of habit. Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 289–314. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417
Image credit: Original illustration created for this project by the author.