Habit and habitual behaviour

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Notes

1 Where an environmental disturbance obstructs usual performance – for example, the light switch has been moved from its usual location – the sequence involved in ‘flicking the switch’ would be extended to include ‘looking for the switch’ and any other actions required to recover progress towards ‘flicking the switch’ (e.g., Vallacher & Wegner, 1987). In this instance, selection and performance would be more noticeably distinct phases for the actor. However, prolonging of the act of ‘flicking the switch’ would, by Phillips and Mullan’s definition of complexity, render ‘flicking the switch’ a more complex act than usual. This instance thus remains consistent with Phillips and Mullan’s assertion that selection and performance merge in experiences of simple actions.

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