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Related Experiment Video

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A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

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Published on: February 20, 2019

Inhibitory control hinders habit change.

Kata Horváth^1,2,3,4, Dezso Nemeth^5,6,7, Karolina Janacsek^8,9

¹Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Izabella utca 46, 1064, Budapest, Hungary.

Scientific Reports

|May 18, 2022

Summary

Trying to suppress bad habits may strengthen them. New research shows actively engaging in desired behaviors is key for habit change and rewiring the brain.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Behavioral Science
Environmental Psychology

Background:

Human habits significantly impact environmental and health risks.
Habit change is crucial for mitigating these risks.
Inhibitory control (suppressing unwanted behaviors) is a common but potentially flawed strategy for habit modification.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of inhibitory control on acquiring new habit-like behaviors and unlearning old ones in healthy humans.
To understand the cognitive mechanisms underlying habit change and rewiring.
To evaluate the efficacy of suppression versus active engagement in habit modification.

Main Methods:

A novel experimental design was employed to assess habit change in healthy participants.
The study examined the acquisition of new behaviors and the simultaneous unlearning of existing ones.
Inhibitory control's influence on these processes was specifically tested.

Main Results:

New habit-like behaviors were acquired, but old behaviors persisted and coexisted.
Inhibitory control negatively impacted both the unlearning of old behaviors and the acquisition of new ones.
Active engagement in preferred behaviors was found to be essential for successful habit establishment.

Conclusions:

Suppressing unwanted behaviors is ineffective for habit change and may paradoxically strengthen them.
Active engagement with desired behaviors is critical for successful habit acquisition and rewiring.
The findings challenge the intuitive approach of inhibition and suggest new strategies for habit modification.