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Exploratory study of the impact of perceived reward on habit formation.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Habits (learned automatic responses to contextual cues) are considered important in sustaining health behaviour change. While habit formation is promoted by repeating behaviour in a stable context, little is known about what other variables may contribute, and whether there are variables which may accelerate the habit formation process. The aim of this study was to explore variables relating to the perceived reward value of behaviour - pleasure, perceived utility, perceived benefits, and intrinsic motivation. The paper tests whether reward has an impact on habit formation which is mediated by behavioural repetition, and whether reward moderates the relationship between repetition and habit formation. METHODS:Habit formation for flossing and vitamin C tablet adherence was investigated in the general public following an intervention, using a longitudinal, single-group design. Of a total sample of 118 participants, 80 received an online vitamin C intervention at baseline, and all 118 received a face-to-face flossing intervention four weeks later. Behaviour, habit, intention, context stability (whether the behaviour was conducted in the same place and point in routine every time), and reward variables were self-reported every four weeks, for sixteen weeks. Structured equation modelling was used to model reward-related variables as predictors of intention, repetition, and habit, and as moderators of the repetition-habit relationship. RESULTS:Habit strength and behaviour increased for both target behaviours. Intrinsic motivation and pleasure moderated the relationship between behavioural repetition and habit. Neither perceived utility nor perceived benefits predicted behaviour nor interacted with repetition. Limited support was obtained for the mediation hypothesis. Strong intentions unexpectedly weakened the repetition-habit relationship. Context stability mediated and for vitamin C, also moderated the repetition-habit relationship. CONCLUSIONS:Pleasure and intrinsic motivation can aid habit formation through promoting greater increase in habit strength per behaviour repetition. Perceived reward can therefore reinforce habits, beyond the impact of reward upon repetition. Habit-formation interventions may be most successful where target behaviours are pleasurable or intrinsically valued.

SUBMITTER: Judah G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6302524 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Exploratory study of the impact of perceived reward on habit formation.

Judah Gaby G Gardner Benjamin B Kenward Michael G MG DeStavola Bianca B Aunger Robert R

BMC psychology 20181220 1

<h4>Background</h4>Habits (learned automatic responses to contextual cues) are considered important in sustaining health behaviour change. While habit formation is promoted by repeating behaviour in a stable context, little is known about what other variables may contribute, and whether there are variables which may accelerate the habit formation process. The aim of this study was to explore variables relating to the perceived reward value of behaviour - pleasure, perceived utility, perceived be ...[more]

PMID: 30572936

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Project description:BackgroundInterventions aimed at promoting physical activity (PA) behavior through habit formation pathways are gaining popularity, as they differ from conventional interventions that rely on intention pathways. Past research has established a positive correlation between PA habits and behavior. However, the efficacy of current interventions designed to form PA habits and improve PA automaticity is not yet fully ascertained. Additionally, the intervention components that significantly impact the effectiveness of these interventions are yet to be determined.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We conducted a search of three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) from January 2000 to December 2022, with a focus on interventions for developing PA habits. Two independent authors conducted paper selection, quality assessment, data extraction, and coding of behavior change techniques (BCTs). The effect size of interventions was calculated using standardized mean difference. Subgroup analyses were carried out based on follow-up duration, delivery method, sample characteristics, and theory. Furthermore, we employed meta-regression to investigate the association between BCTs and PA habits.ResultsTen eligible studies with relatively high quality were included in the final data set. Characteristics of studies varied in intervention sample and delivery way. The habit formation interventions significantly increased PA habit (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI 0.14-0.48, P < .001) compared to the control groups. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the duration of follow-up ≤ 12 weeks have a higher effect size on PA habit than the duration > 12 weeks. Meta-regression revealed that problem solving has a significant positive association with effectiveness improvement (β = 0.36, 95% CI 0.17-0.55), while social reward is linked with a reduction in effectiveness (β = -0.40, 95% CI -0.74-0.06).ConclusionsOur findings reveal that habit formation interventions are effective in fostering PA habit. Future studies could leverage the insights form this study to optimize the intervention design and achieve better effectiveness.

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Exploratory study of the impact of perceived reward on habit formation.

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Exploratory study of the impact of perceived reward on habit formation.

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