Suchergebnisse

This unique reference explores the processes and nuances of human habits through social psychology and behavioral lenses. It provides a robust definition and theoretical framework for habit as well as up-to-date information on habit measurement, addressing such questions as which mechanisms are involved in habitual action and whether people can report accurately on their own habits. Specialized chapters pay close attention to how habits can be modified, as well as widely varying manifestations of habitual thoughts and behaviors, including the mechanisms of drug addiction and recovery, the repetitive characteristics of autism, and the unwitting habits of health professionals that may impede patient care. And across these pages, contributors show the potential for using the processes of maladaptive habits to replace them with positive and health-promoting ones. Throughout this volume attention is also paid to the practice of conducting habit research. Among the topics covered: Habit mechanisms and behavioral complexity. Complexities and controversies of physical activity habit. Habit discontinuities as vehicles for behavior change. Habits in depression: understanding and intervention. A critical review of habit theory of drug dependence. Questions about the automaticity of habitual behaviors. The Psychology of Habit will interest psychologists across a wide spectrum of domains: habit researchers in broader areas of social and health psychology, professionals working in (sub)clinical areas, interested scholars in marketing, consumer research, communication, and education, and public policymakers dealing with questions of behavioral change in the areas of health, sustainability, and/or education

Beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral intentions toward nuclear energy in the Netherlands were investigated within a sample of Dutch citizens two months before the Chernobyl accident, one month after the accident, six months after the accident, and one year and seven months after the accident. One month after the accident, analyses revealed more unfavorable attitudes which became less antinuclear five months later. At the end of 1987, attitudes were more antinuclear than ever before. Only a weak relationship was found between self-reported and observed attitude change. After the Chernobyl accident, subjective probabilities of the occurrence of catastrophic accidents in Dutch nuclear power plants were judged far higher than before the accident. From the Chernobyl accident up to the end of 1987, a linear trend upward in these subjective probabilities was observed. Perceived benefits did not change immediately after the accident, but were judged as less probable over time. Subjective probabilities of catastrophic nuclear accidents appeared to correlate more strongly with the attitude toward nuclear energy over time. The results underline the predominance of the perceived catastrophality of consequences attributed to nuclear energy in the public's perception and evaluation of this technology.

Workers at a pro-environmental charity in the United Kingdom were evaluated 19 months before the organization moved its headquarters to another town, and then evaluated again 1 and 4 weeks after the move. Travel habit (behavioral automaticity) weakened immediately after the move, and this was equal for those who changed travel mode during the relocation and those who did not. In those who changed mode, habit strength for the old mode did not disappear abruptly but rather decayed over the post-move period, whereas habit strength for the new mode grew concurrently. This demonstrates that even when overt behavior changes during a transition event, the underlying behavioral automaticity does not disappear immediately. Rather, there is a period during which habit for the new behavior becomes established and habit for the old behavior decays. Practical implications of these findings are discussed.

This article reports a study of attitudes and beliefs about seasonal psychological cycles in a sample of 160 people living in London. Participants rated their perceptions of seasonal fluctuations on cognitive, emotional, physical, and social functioning in themselves, in others at the same latitude, and in the Arctic population by means of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire and a specially designed questionnaire. They also completed a test of astronomical knowledge, a test of knowledge about seasonal affective disorder, and an instrument measuring the Big Five personality dimensions. Seasonal mood swings correlated positively with SAD knowledge and extraversion and negatively with the respondents' emotional stability and knowledge of astronomy. Perception of seasonal change in others appeared to be mediated by their perceptions of their own seasonal fluctuations. Generally, participants did not have unwarranted negative predictions about the impact of the annual cycle on psychological swings in the Arctic.

Crises in obesity and changes in the environment illustrate the need to change problematic behaviors and lifestyles in large segments of the population. This article uses social psychological theory and research to understand methods for facilitating lifestyle change. A basic assumption in the social psychological perspective is that the environment and the person interact to determine behavior. Both factors are important for understanding "upstream" and "downstream" approaches to lifestyle change (McKinlay, 1993; Verplanken & Wood, 2006) and consideration of one factor without the other may be disastrous. We review evidence from within and outside of the health context to illustrate the upstream and downstream approaches and then describe implications for public policy and intervention. The evidence and recommendations encompass a wide range of behaviors, ranging from speeding and intoxicated driving to eating an unhealthy diet and energy conservation. When armed with the relevant social psychological theory and evidence, lifestyle change campaigns are likely to be successful.

Acknowledgements This research was supported by the Health Foundation Improvement Science Award (grant number: GIFTS ID 7223 awarded to SP). JMG holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Knowledge Transfer and Uptake. DK's work is carried out within the HOMING program of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund; grant number POIR.04.04.00-00-5CF3/18-00; HOMING 5/2018. We would also like to thank Lauren Basey for optimising the design of our included figure. ; Peer reviewed ; Publisher PDF

Funding Information: This research was supported by the Health Foundation Improvement Science Award (grant number: GIFTS ID 7223 awarded to Sebastian Potthoff). Tracy Finch, Tim Rapley, Sebastian Potthoff, Tom Saunders and Luke Vale are members of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria ( NIHR200173 ). Luke Vale is also a member of the NIHR Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative, NIHR School for Public Health Research, and Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health . The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care . Jeremy M. Grimshaw holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Knowledge Transfer and Uptake. Dominika Kwasnicka's work is carried out within the HOMING program of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund ; grant number POIR.04.04.00-00-5CF3/18-00 ; HOMING 5/2018. We would also like to thank Lauren Basey for optimising the design of our included figure. Funding Information: This research was supported by the Health Foundation Improvement Science Award (grant number: GIFTS ID 7223 awarded to Sebastian Potthoff). Tracy Finch, Tim Rapley, Sebastian Potthoff, Tom Saunders and Luke Vale are members of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria (NIHR200173). Luke Vale is also a member of the NIHR Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative, NIHR School for Public Health Research, and Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Jeremy M. Grimshaw holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Knowledge Transfer and Uptake. Dominika Kwasnicka's work is carried out within the HOMING program of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund; grant number POIR.04.04.00-00-5CF3/18-00; ...