Big Think Willpower likely won’t save you from your bad habits. Science explains why
Oct 25, 2025
Join Charles Duhigg, a journalist and author of The Power of Habit, neuroscientist Carl Hart, and psychologist Adam Alter, as they delve into the complexities of bad habits. They reveal that habits are wired in the brain as cue-routine-reward loops and explain why willpower alone is ineffective. Alter highlights how technology, like smartphones, triggers addictive behaviors, serving as 'adult pacifiers.' The trio emphasizes that habits can be replaced, not erased, offering insights on changing routines for lasting change.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Opening CarMax Jingle Exchange
- The episode opens with a playful CarMax jingle exchanged between speakers as a light example.
- This humorous bit sets a casual tone before shifting to serious habit science discussion.
How Habit Loops Automate Behavior
- Habits form a cue→routine→reward loop that automates nearly half our daily actions.
- Cravings bind cues and rewards neurologically, making habits persist without conscious thought.
Addiction Is Defined By Behavior
- Addiction should be assessed by observable behavior and life impact, not just brain changes.
- Drug effects on dopamine aren't a magical override; addiction is evident in obligations missed and functioning loss.