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The Measurement of Habit

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The Psychology of Habit

Abstract

In this chapter, we put forth a theory-based set of criteria for a ‘good’ habit measure, encompassing predictive validity, discriminant validity, convergent validity, and reliability. We apply these criteria to evaluate prevalent measures of habit including past behaviour, frequency in context measures, and the Self-Report Habit Index and its derivatives (the Habit Index of Negative Thinking, and the Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index). We outline why implicit measures offer a potentially promising area for habit measurement research. Additionally, we highlight controversies in the habit domain, including the importance of distinguishing habit from behaviour and whether people can self-report habit. We conclude that the most appropriate habit measure is one that most aligns with the theoretical framework, research question, and logistical elements of the study.

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Acknowledgement

ALR is supported by funds from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. RER is supported by funds from the Canadian Cancer Society, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia

    Amanda L. Rebar

  2. Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Guy’s Campus, King’s College London, London, UK

    Benjamin Gardner

  3. Behavioral Medicine Laboratory, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    Ryan E. Rhodes

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK

    Bas Verplanken

Authors
  1. Amanda L. Rebar
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  2. Benjamin Gardner
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  3. Ryan E. Rhodes
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  4. Bas Verplanken
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amanda L. Rebar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK

    Bas Verplanken

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Rebar, A.L., Gardner, B., Rhodes, R.E., Verplanken, B. (2018). The Measurement of Habit. In: Verplanken, B. (eds) The Psychology of Habit. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97529-0_3

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