Discussion Questions 5: Breaking Bad Habits

Please complete the reading before answering these questions.

• Can Brain Science Help Us Break Bad Habits?
  • https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/10/28/can-brain-science-help-us-break-bad-habits

1. Explain how the article relates to the illusion of control.
2. Discuss how automatic processes in the brain (habits) form or work versus more controlled actions of which we are aware. If you want to use technical language and brain terminology, that is fine. Or, if you wish to use examples from your own life experience (as the author talked about cell phone usage, the "Marshmallow" study, and the US with fruits/vegetables), that is fine as well.
3. Are there any habits that you have that you have successfully changed using habits as the author described? Explain.
4. Are there any habits that you would like to change now, based on what the author described? Explain any strategies that you may try or that you think could be of use to you.
5. Feel free to discuss anything else that you like. Thank you.