Habitual instigation and habitual execution: Definition, measurement, and effects on behaviour frequency

Abstract

Objectives'Habit' is a process whereby situational cues generate behaviour automatically, via activation of learned cue-behaviour associations. This article presents a conceptual and empirical rationale for distinguishing between two manifestations of habit in health behaviour, triggering selection and initiation of an action ('habitual instigation'), or automating progression through subactions required to complete action ('habitual execution'). We propose that habitual instigation accounts for habit-action relationships, and is the manifestation captured by the Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI), the dominant measure in health psychology. DesignConceptual analysis and prospective survey. MethodsStudent participants (N = 229) completed measures of intentions, the original, non-specific SRHI, an instigation-specific SRHI variant, an execution-specific variant, and, 1 week later, behaviour, in three health domains (flossing, snacking, and breakfast consumption). Effects of habitual instigation and execution on behaviour were modelled using regression analyses, with simple slope analysis to test habit-intention interactions. Relationships between instigation, execution, and non-specific SRHI variants were assessed via correlations and factor analyses. ResultsThe instigation-SRHI was uniformly more predictive of behaviour frequency than the execution-SRHI and corresponded more closely with the original SRHI in correlation and factor analyses. ConclusionsFurther, experimental work is needed to separate the impact of the two habit manifestations more rigorously. Nonetheless, findings qualify calls for habit-based interventions by suggesting that behaviour maintenance may be better served by habitual instigation and that disrupting habitual behaviour may depend on overriding habits of instigation. Greater precision of measurement may help to minimize confusion between habitual instigation and execution. AbstractObjectives. 'Habit' is a process whereby situational cues generate behaviour automatically, via activation of cue-behaviour associations developed through past performance. This paper presents a conceptual and empirical rationale for distinguishing between two manifestations of habit in health behaviour, triggering selection and initiation of an action ('habitual instigation'), or automating progression through sub-actions required to complete action ('habitual execution'). We propose that habitual instigation accounts for habit-action relationships, and is the manifestation captured by the Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI), the dominant measure in health psychology.Design. Conceptual analysis, and prospective survey.Methods. Student participants (N = 229) completed measures of intentions, the original, non-specific SRHI, an instigation-specific SRHI variant, an execution-specific variant, and, one week later, behaviour, in three health domains (flossing, snacking, breakfast consumption). Effects of habitual instigation and execution on behaviour were modelled using regression analyses, with simple slopes an...

Patient Experiences of Swallowing Exercises After Head and Neck Cancer: A Qualitative Study Examining Barriers and Facilitators Using Behaviour Change Theory

“…It seems plausible to relate this finding to previous work in behavioural science that has highlighted that forming habits , that is ingrained automatic routines initiated by environmental cues, may be important to maintaining long-term behaviour [37, 38]. Habits form through context-dependent repetition [39], and while initially effortful becomes easier if the action is repeated with sufficient consistency in the same position within one’s routine [40, 41].…”

A matter of habit: Recognizing the multiple roles of habit in health behaviour

“…Kaushal, Rhodes, Meldrum, et al . () found that preparatory habit was a stronger determinant of physical activity than was performance habit, and studies have observed habitual instigation, but not execution, to predict behaviour frequency for dental hygiene, dietary consumption, and physical activity (Gardner et al ., ; Phillips & Gardner, ). Research is needed to replicate such findings across behaviours and contexts.…”

“…Interventions designed to encourage frequent performance need not promote rigid performance; while this may foster habitual execution, it is unlikely to enhance the likelihood of performance (Gardner et al ., ; Phillips & Gardner, ). Indeed, for strongly affect‐driven behaviours, such as physical activity (Rhodes, Fiala, & Conner, ), an action performed in the same way on each occasion may become unenjoyable and so be discontinued (Sylvester et al ., ).…”

“…Most health habit research to date has taken the form of predictive studies, in which habit is modelled as a potential determinant of behaviour (Gardner, ). A factor analysis showed that the originally worded SRHI (Behaviour X… […is something I do automatically]) loaded on the same factor as did an instigation variant (Deciding to do Behaviour X…), whereas an execution variant (Once I have decided to do Behaviour X, the act of Behaviour X…) loaded on a separate factor (Gardner et al ., ). By implication, given that the SRHI is the most commonly used habit measure in health psychology (Gardner, ), much previous research in the habit domain has likely addressed habitual instigation, rather than execution.…”

“…Pursuing the research and intervention avenues we have identified may require innovations in habit measurement. The SRHI and its derivatives can be adapted to specify a target behaviour or preparatory behaviour (Kaushal, Rhodes, Meldrum, et al., ), or to speak more to instigation or execution (Gardner et al ., ). Yet, debate continues around whether people have sufficient insight to accurately self‐report habit strength (Hagger, Rebar, Mullan, Lipp, & Chatzisarantis, ; Orbell & Verplanken, ).…”