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After reading this article you will learn about Habits:- 1. Meaning of Habit 2. Characteristics of Habit 3. Role of Habit.
Meaning of Habit:
Habits are found both in man and animal. It is acquired by the living organism. As instincts motivate one to do various activities, similarly one’s habit also motivate him to do different activities. Habit is the result of practice of one’s own individual like.
According to James, habit is man’s second nature. According to Behaviourists, “As instincts motivate man for a specific experience. Similarly habits also make him restless to get back some past experience.”
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Mc. Dougall says, every habit is formed as a result of some instinctive activity so habit is always related to some instinct.
Characteristics of Habit:
The following are some of the characteristics of habit:
i. Uniformity:
Habit brings uniformity in the activities of an individual. There is a specific habit in our mode of talking, sleeping, walking and other activities.
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ii. Facility:
There is a facility in the performance of an activity if it is due to some habit. In the beginning it is difficult to ride a bicycle but after the formation of habit, it becomes quite easy.
iii. Interest:
The basis of habit is interest. At the beginning of schooling, the child runs away from the school, but after the formation of habit, going to school becomes interesting to him.
iv. Independence of attention:
Due to our habit we do many things which require no attention at all.
Role of Habit:
Habit plays a vital role in our day to day life. Many of the behaviours of an individual are according to his habits. The development of character depends on our habits and sentiments. A man who has good habits is supposed to be a man of character. He is respected in the society.
Habit is a great means of our progress in educational situation. It is easy to learn reading and writing during childhood. But learning is very difficult during adulthood or old age. Habit strengthens learning activities. Many great things in the world have been achieved through habits. During early years a child learns alphabets due to habits. At later period different hard learning tasks can be overcome by a child through habits.