3rd biennial International Convention of Psychological Science (ICPS), Date: 2019/03/07 - 2019/03/09, Location: Paris, France

Publication date: 2019-03-07

Author:

Buabang, Eike Kofi
Moors, Agnes

Keywords:

C14/17/047#54271070

Abstract:

Symposium "Evidence for habits is weaker than you might think" Abstract: Habits are often thought to be the backbone of human behavior. Surprisingly, empirical evidence for habits in humans is quite weak. In four talks, we review failures to obtain evidence for habits as well as studies supporting alternative explanations for seemingly habitual behavior. Supporting abstract: Habits (i.e., behaviors that are not goal-directed) are often thought to be the backbone of human behavior. In sharp contrast to the assumed importance of habits, empirical evidence for habits in humans is actually quite weak. Recent research indicates that much of the already limited evidence that is available in the literature can either not be replicated or can be explained in terms of goal-directed processes. This symposium consist of four talks that add to these concerns. de Wit reports several failed attempts to provide an experimental demonstration of habits in humans. She discusses the challenges that these failures pose for research on habits, as well as ways in which these challenges might be met. Buabang and Moors dissect the “Fabulous Fruit Game” which has been used in studies that are frequently cited as providing strong evidence for habits in humans. They present a new study examining whether evidence for habits in humans in that game might simply reflect a lack of motivation to process information with low utility. Tibboel and De Houwer examine a related line of research and shows that effects that seem to demonstrate habits in humans might actually reflect limits in the memorization of information. Finally, Eder and Dignath focus outcome-selective Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT), another phenomenon that is often used to argue in favor of the idea that human behavior can be habitual. Contrary to previous claims that PIT effects reveal habits, Eder presents evidence showing that PIT effects are goal-dependent and strategic. Although the evidence and arguments presented during the symposium do not exclude the possibility that humans sometimes behave in habitual ways, they call for a thorough revaluation of the available evidence for habits in humans and set new standards for future research on habits. It is vital that these standards are met if we are to understand the true role of habits in human behavior and to develop successful interventions directed at influencing habitual behavior.