Habit and behavioural complexity: habitual instigation and execution as predictors of simple and complex behaviours

Abstract

Background

Forming a habit - i.e., a cue-behaviour association learned through repeated performance - has been proposed to promote behaviour maintenance, but some commentators have questioned whether simple cue-behaviour associations can direct complex actions. This paper addresses this issue by drawing on a proposed distinction between 'habitual instigation', whereby habit automatically prompts the impulse to initiate an action episode, and 'habitual execution', whereby habit automates performance of sub-actions involved in that episode. Theory predicts that frequency should be determined by habitual instigation, but not habitual execution, irrespective of complexity. This study examined the influence of habitual instigation and execution on the frequency of four behaviours ranging in complexity.

Method

A sample of 173 participants, recruited via an online platform, completed questionnaire measures of perceived complexity, and instigation and execution habit, for four behaviours expected to vary in complexity (checking one's phone, drinking sugary drinks, using social media, using public transport). Of these, 118 participants self-reported behaviour frequency one week later. ANOVAs compared complexity perceptions across behaviours, and multivariate regressions modelled effects of instigation and execution habit on behaviour.

Results

Drinking sugary drinks was rated the simplest behaviour, followed by phone-checking, and using social media. Using public transport was rated most complex. Across behaviours, instigation-behaviour correlations tended to be stronger than execution-behaviour correlations, and instigation habit predicted behaviour but execution did not.

Conclusion

Instigation habit regulated performance frequency of simple and complex behaviours alike. While complexity may be an important consideration when developing new habits, it is less relevant to the relationship between established habits and behaviour. Interventions should promote instigation habits to maintain even complex behaviours.