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Many researchers and policy makers think of people as creatures of habit. And quite some of those habits are held responsible for societal problems such as the overburdening of the environment (taking the car rather than public transport to work) or health issues (snacking). But is it true that people are creatures of habit? Psychologist Hans Marien argues in the journal that they are not.

Together with Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� scholars Ruud Custers and Henk Aarts, Henk Marien addressed the conceptualization and operationalization of habits in scholarly literature of the past 20 years. “The conceptualization and operationalization of habits is based on fundamental psychological and neuroscientific research, in which often – under strict regulated circumstances – can be demonstrated that people are creatures of habit. [...] In our article we state that the definition and methods that scientists use in their research do not allow to conclude that people truly are creatures of habit.”

Critical stance

According to Marien, the new study shows that we do not take our car to work without thinking, nor that we immediately eat French fries upon seeing a snackbar. “Behavioural scientist will be able to take a more critical stance before stating that habits play a big part in societal issues, and to advise policy makers on the ways in which habits need to be changed.”