Within this week's reading, my group read about the 2nd Law of Behavior Change which is to make habits attractive. In the book, the author talked about how having higher levels of dopamine contributes to every behavior that is highly habit-forming. People tend to imitate the culture and people around them. According to the author, humans try to copy the behavior of successful people in hopes to become successful themselves.
There are three social groups where people tend to imitate habits from: the close (family and friends), the many (tribe), and the powerful (prestigious and wealthy). Behavior that has approval, respect, and praise is attractive. In order to get rid of a bad habit, highlight the benefits of stopping to make it unattractive to do. Habits are attractive with positive feelings while they are unattractive with negative feelings.
Today our book club meeting went really well. We discussed all of the interesting passages and lines we wished to talk about. We also answered questions such as what habits did we do so often that we got sick of? What kind of habits did you get from your parents and so on.
I have never really thought about a habit as being attractive before. It makes sense that we tend to copy the habits of those we are close to though. Personally, I have seen some instances where the more I time I spend with a friend, I start to say a few phrases that they typically say. After seeing their reasonings on why they think a certain way, I sometimes notice myself starting to think in a similar way to them as well.
ReplyDeleteBased on the summary that you gave I agree that people try to imitate those who have success in order to try to obtain it. I also agree that our habits are based off those we are surrounded by, because my little brother does many things that he sees my other brother or I do. He doesn't just do it at that moment but does it continuously, later becoming a habit. Overall I found it very interesting that a habit can be named attractive because I have never heard of a habit having a name or being classified.
ReplyDeleteI could see why a habit could be attractive. Although the idea seems strange, it could make sense. For example, some might find it more attractive to run away from a problem or situation rather than to solve it. For me, I postpone my goals, such as homework, rather than do it right away. Even though this doe not make it easier for me, I can never seem to be proactive at all times. Lastly, the imitation of habits caught my eye because I have noticed that I pick up on good and bad habits from my friends at school. More times than not, I will speak like my friends when I am hanging out with them.
ReplyDeleteIt is very true that when habits are unattractive we tend to stray from them. When trying to get rid of habits that are not effective nor productive, focusing on why they are not beneficial may help to stop. Although it is easier said than done, it is possible. I agree with your statement that when doing unattractive habits, we tend to get negative feelings. In a world where social media is popular, we try to mimic the behavior of people we deem successful, but that can be very toxic and a bad habit itself.
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