What is it about?
Imagine retiring after decades of commuting to work... would you ever catch yourself driving to the office out of habit? Our research explored why these "autopilot" moments might become more common as we age by comparing how younger and older adults balance automatic habits versus purposeful, goal-directed actions. Our findings show that older adults tend to stick with familiar habits, while younger adults more easily shift gears when needed. Interestingly, these differences weren't fully explained by age-related slowing and memory capacity. Our findings suggest that the ageing brain may actually benefit from this preference for habits, as it might help maintain and preserve functioning. This research also offers new insights into how we might better support older adults to promote healthy lifestyle changes by harnessing the power of habit formation to maintain longer independence!
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Why is it important?
The timeliness of this research cannot be overstated as our global population continues to age rapidly. Our study uniquely bridges cognitive neuroscience with practical applications for healthy ageing by examining the fundamental mechanisms of habit versus goal-directed behavior. By demonstrating that older adults naturally rely more on habitual behaviors, our research suggests a powerful new approach to supporting healthy ageing: rather than asking older adults to constantly make conscious choices about healthy behaviors, we might focus on helping them establish positive routines that eventually become automatic & easier! This fresh perspective could revolutionize how we design senior living environments, develop health interventions, and support caregivers and older adults themselves – potentially leading to reduced healthcare costs, improved health outcomes, extended independence and engagement, and enhanced quality of life for millions of older adults worldwide.
Perspectives
This research reflects my commitment to developing practical, accessible supports for our ageing population— our parents, grandparents, and friends who have cultivated the communities, knowledge systems, and social frameworks that have built the foundations of our society. A powerful revelation is that what might appear as "stubbornness" in older adults is actually their brains efficiently conserving cognitive resources through habitual processes. I'm particularly proud of how this work challenges conventional wisdom about "teaching old dog's new tricks." The issue isn't that older adults can't learn new behaviors—it's that we need to approach the learning process differently, with greater emphasis on repetition and routine. I'm excited to continue this line of research and develop evidence-based interventions recognising how the ageing brain develops efficient strategies that, when properly harnessed, can support continued independence and healthy lifestyles. By understanding and working with these natural cognitive tendencies, I believe we can significantly improve quality of life for our ageing population, allowing them to continue contributing to and benefiting from the communities they helped create!
Chelsea Hennessy
University of the Sunshine Coast
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Switching gears: Age-related differences in goal-directed and habitual behavior., Neuropsychology, March 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/neu0000997.
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