Bite fingernails psychology

Behavioral and Social-Cognitive Approaches to Forming Habits

Introduction

I will analyze the development and influence of one of my bad habits.

I will use the behavioral personality theory to explain why I have this habit as well as describe components of social/cognitive theory to explain why the habit formed.

I will also develop a plan that applies operant conditioning to change this habit.

Lastly, I will choose between the behavioral and social/cognitive theories to define which best explains my personality

As a person ages they develop patterns of growth that are similar and dissimilar to others. The patterns that are developed at times can be described as habits. As a child develops the habits that they form can disappear or change when adulthood is reached. If the habits do not dissipate over time it can be attributed to developmental damage or a traumatic event. Although, it is difficult to determine the origination of certain long term habits that are ongoing through adulthood, the investigation as to why they exist and the effects they have on an individual has been studied by psychologists for decades. I will analyze the development and influence of one of my bad habits. I will use the behavioral personality theory to explain why I have this habit as well as describe components of social/cognitive theory to explain why the habit formed. I will also develop a plan that applies operant conditioning to change this habit. Lastly, I will choose between the behavioral and social/cognitive theories to define which best explains my personality.

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Bad Habit – Nail Biting

Been doing it for a very long time

Do it when I am nervous

Deep in thought

Stressed out

Brothers do it as well

There is one bad habit that I have had since childhood which is nail biting. I have been nail biting for as long as I can remember and I do it for many different reasons. I notice I do this when I am bored, nervous or stressed. I can be watching television or sitting in the classroom and I could be seen biting my nails. I believe I started this habit by mimicking my brothers. I noticed that they do the same thing. As a child we could all be on the couch watching television and you would see at least one of us biting on our nails.

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Bad Habit – Nail Biting

My girlfriend hates it

I don’t want my son to pick it up

Happens unconsciously

This is something that my girlfriend hates and tells me all the time to stop. I try to stop when I notice I am doing it, but sometimes it happens unconsciously. I don’t want my son to pick up this bad habit either so I am continuing to work on this. It happens more when I am stressed out or am nervous.

4

Why I Continue and Have I Tried to Break This Habit

Attempted to break the habit

Try to stop when I realize it

Chew gum to keep mouth busy

I have attempted to break this habit many times with minimal success. Once I realize that I am biting my nails I will stop. The longest I have gone without biting my nails is a month. One of the things I have tried that has helped me stop is keeping my mouth busy. When my mouth is busy I do not tend to have the need for my fingers to be close to my mouth. I have started chewing more gum, which has helped a lot but not curbed the urge completely. Hopefully with more concentration and dedication I can beat the habit and stop nail biting once and for all.

5

Behavioral Personality Theory

Conditioning happens during environmental interactions

Linked to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Half a dozen of all adolescents bite their nails.

“Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning” (Cherry, 2013). Conditioning happens during environmental interactions. It is the belief of behaviorists that a person’s response to stimuli in the environment shapes our behaviors. “Nail biting also known clinically as chronic onychophagia, is a compulsive habit of biting ones fingernails or toenails during periods of nervousness, stress, hunger or even boredom. It can also be a sign of a mental or emotional disorder” (Ginesi, 2007). Psychologists have linked this behavior to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. These habits can be unconscious behaviors that are repeated by the individual during certain situations. “About half of all adolescents’ bite their nails, but more than three-