Bad habit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Bad Habits.
A bad habit is a negative behaviour pattern. Common examples include: procrastination, overspending, nail-biting and spending too much time watching television or using a computer.[1]
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[edit] Will
A key factor in distinguishing a bad habit from an addiction or mental disease is the element of willpower. If a person still seems to have control over the behaviour then it is just a habit.[2]
[edit] Prevention
The best time to correct a bad habit is immediately, before it becomes established. So, bad habits are best prevented from developing in childhood.[3]
[edit] Cure
There are many techniques for removing bad habits once they have become established. One example is withdrawal of reinforcers - identifying and removing the factors which trigger the habit and encourage its persistence.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Suzanne LeVert, Gary R. McClain (2001). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Breaking Bad Habits. Alpha Books. ISBN 0028639863.
- ^ Mariana Valverde (1998). "Disease or Habit? Alcoholism and the Exercise of Freedom", Diseases of the Will: Alcohol and the Dilemmas of Freedom. ISBN 0521644690.
- ^ Bill Borcherdt (1996). Making Families Work and What to Do When They Don't. Haworth Press, 172. ISBN 0789000733.
- ^ Herbert Fensterheim, Jean Baer (1975). Don't Say Yes When You Want to Say No. Dell. ISBN 0440154138.
