Evaluating the duration of the competing response in habit reversal: a parametric analysis

The effectiveness of habit reversal was compared across three different competing response (CR) durations. Results showed that 1-min and 3-min CR durations were associated with short-term and long-term increases in nail length for people who bit their nails. A 5-s CR duration produced immediate increases in nail length that were not maintained. Social validity data were consistent with these findings.