Action Control & Habits: Resolving Discrepancies
- Repeated behaviors can turn into habits, some of which are helpful, like morning exercise, good hygiene, healthy eating or meditation.
- Many psychology and behavioral science studies have attempted to uncover the mechanisms behind how habits form and are maintained.
- Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are exploring how habits rely on two distinct aspects of action control: response preparation and response initiation.
Understand habit formation like never before. Recent research unveils that habits are not as simple as we onc thought. This groundbreaking study highlights that habits are governed by two distinct aspects of action control: response planning and initiation.This revised understanding potentially solves previous contradictions in how habits work. Learn about the implications of this new research, which coudl lead to better strategies for modifying behaviors, from tackling unhealthy habits to reinforcing positive ones. Explore the science behind these complex processes and reconsider your perspectives on action control. Discover how these discoveries could change your daily life, as reported first by News Directory 3. Discover what’s next …
Habits supported by two different aspects of action control could resolve past discrepancies
Updated June 24, 2025
Experimental procedures. Credit: Nature Human Behavior (2025). Two: 10.1038/S41562-025-02215-4
Repeated behaviors can turn into habits, some of which are helpful, like morning exercise, good hygiene, healthy eating or meditation. Others, such as smoking, eating while watching television, or procrastination, can be harmful.
Many psychology and behavioral science studies have attempted to uncover the mechanisms behind how habits form and are maintained. Though, these mechanisms are not fully understood. The findings have been somewhat contradictory, with some suggesting habits are based on associations between specific stimuli and responses, while others suggest they are not.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are exploring how habits rely on two distinct aspects of action control: response preparation and response initiation. Their work, published in Nature Human Behaviour, suggests that these dissociable habits could resolve past discrepancies.
What’s next
The findings may pave the way for more targeted interventions to change unwanted behaviors and reinforce positive habits.