Hàbit

Hàbit is a concept used to describe a behavior pattern that is repeated regularly and tends to occur automatically in response to familiar cues. In Vietnamese, the standard term for habit is thói quen, while hàbit is a loanword found in some contexts and older texts that discuss behavior, psychology, or language influenced by French or English.

Habits form through a loop composed of a cue or trigger, a routine or behavior, and a reward. Repetition strengthens this loop, making the behavior increasingly automatic and less dependent on conscious intention. The time required to establish a new habit varies between individuals and activities, with studies noting an average development period around several weeks to a couple of months, though the exact duration can range from days to more than a year.

Neuroscience explains habit learning through the basal ganglia, particularly regions such as the dorsal striatum. As a behavior becomes habitual, control shifts from higher-order planning areas of the brain to these regions, with dopaminergic reinforcement helping to consolidate the routine when the outcome is favorable.

Habits influence many aspects of life, including health, productivity, and well-being. They can be beneficial (regular exercise, consistent sleep) or detrimental (smoking, excessive snacking). Approaches to forming good habits or breaking bad ones commonly involve identifying cues, altering the environment to discourage unwanted routines, substituting a less desirable action with a constructive alternative, and maintaining consistency to support long-term maintenance.