Prompt for Second Paper: The Science of Habit.
Seven Pages
Seven Sources
Typed and MLA Format
Theme: An informative analysis on the emerging science concerning the development of habits.
Rough draft due: 1/14/21
Second paper due: 1/19/21
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.
Aristotle
Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? Have you kept them? I’ve rarely made it through a week. We all know that good habits can make us healthier, happier, and successful.
So, why are most of us so bad at keeping them? In the past, it was thought that only sheer willpower can make those changes.
Modern science, research, and a new generation of psychologists have brought a new light to the process of forming and keeping habits, especially in neuroscience, positive psychology and cognitive behavior. It has the potential to transform our world. In this paper, I want you to inform and comment on these new forces. I more than encourage you to use your own experience with good and bad habits in this essay.
As you know, in class we have extensively referred to The Power of Habit. Feel free to use it as a major source and also follow up on the leads the book provides. Other sources are varied. For example, the key words the science of habit produces thousands of articles. Look for the best publications and also feel free to experiment with search terms. A similar search in Academic Search Premier, which can be found on our library website, provides 238 responses.
I also suggest the use of Youtube and Ted Talks. I will trust your judgement on the quality of these sources. Some key motivational experts on habit development are Jim Rohn, Steven Covey, and, in particular, Anthony Robbins. Some of the newer leaders in this field are Jeff Olson and James Clear.