Habit Problems

Abstract

All animals whose behavior is not totally instinctive develop habits. Habits, no doubt, have evolved because they are useful to the individual. They allow the animals to develop repetitive behaviors that satisfy needs without having to expend energy. Habits become a problem when circumstances change their value or they become so exaggerated they are more harmful than helpful. For example, self-grooming behavior, which in all primates tends to lower anxiety, can lead to nail biting, which causes the person problems. Smoking brings immediate pleasure from nicotine and perhaps social acceptance but in the long run has obvious health consequences. Because habits at one point satisfy some need, they become difficult to alter. The longer they have gone on and the more needs that have been satisfied by the behavior, the more difficult it is to change. Habits that are intermittently reinforced are particularly difficult to extinguish (e.g., playing slot machines).