Interesting review; I'm definitely going to buy Good Habits, Bad Habits now. I do think that something can be a useful suggestion and yet not backed by any (existing) research. I'm not implying this is at odds with what you're saying (I don't know if you disagree with that statement or not), but I think it's a useful addendum. My prior of "how likely I think a technique is going to be successful" is definitely going to be higher for something that's got decent, replicated research around it. But plenty of useful knowledge in the world just doesn't have any rigorous science around it. This is the case for most practical endeavours, where in everything from sales to management consulting to cooking to building have frameworks and methods that aren't explicitly science based, but which have some evidence for effectiveness. (And plenty of useless knowledge does have apparently rigorous but actually false research behind it, cf lots of Thinking Fast and Slow). In practice, I'd treat some advice like eg treating something as an "I get to" rather than "I have to" as just one of a number of plausible things I can try. Indeed, ultimately, with all self help, it's about just trying things and getting feedback. Conclusions based on research are ultimately about populations, not individuals, and your mileage may vary even with research-backed recommendations.
4:00 In Clear's defense, the friction from the environment and the instability of bad circumstances can have powerful effects on our identity. But we arguably have more control over our identity than we have over our external circumstances, so focusing more on identity could help us overcome our circumstances. These factors aren't mutually exclusive; they can be mutually reinforcing, for better or for worse. Perhaps focusing more on the external factors is most helpful from a policy-making perspective, while focusing more on identity can be more empowering from an individual perspective. The key is to avoid an exclusive reliance on just one set of factors.
Thanks for sharing your POV. I think we have more control over our external environment than our identity to be honest. Obviously we can’t change the cards we’re dealt in terms of SES and so on. But what behsci tells us, is that even small changes to our daily environment can have profound effects on our behavior
Do we really have more control over the environment than identity? What if there's other people in your environment that controls your environment for example your living in a bad environment with a lot of bad people that you don't have control over the things that they do. Do you still have control over the environment?
Hi Pete, On your recommendation, I have started reading Good habits, bad habits. Something that frustrates me is how less control I have over my environment, because I live with my parents. They, as mentioned in the book, increase the rate of chaos in my life. This makes it quite difficult to study or eat healthily. Any insights on how we can successfully change, even if our context for the most part doesn't support it? Or any other views on how to work with constraints that other people tend to add to habit building?
@@PeteJudo1 Have just read both books and watched your review. It seems that James Clear places a lot of emphasis on the cure, craving, routine reward cycle. He states (in his 4 Laws of Habit Change) that if a habit no longer provides a reward, the habit will stop firing. In this context, the reward is what generates the craving, (which was never mention by Charles Duhigg in The Power of Habit). Wendy Wood states that habits may form by chance in some circumstances...you sit on one side of the couch by chance but that becomes your norm based on repetition and you feel more comfy repeating past behaviours. She also mentions how people continue performing the same habits even when the reward is no longer present, (and I assume therefore, that the craving element of the habit loop is no longer present). This seems a fundamental difference of opinion, (or maybe I'm wrong?). Just wondered what your thoughts were as this does considerably change how you change/break/evolve unwanted habits. Thanks in advance if you have time to reply :)
While I don't doubt Pete's analysis, I have already read atomic habits and don't feel the need for another habit based book, certainly a good read if I want to learn more on habits
I think behavioral scientists put too much emphasis on environmental impact on behavior change, neglecting individual psychology. Environmental changes may increase probability of a certain behavior, but we are more complicated than that.
Yes, I agree dude. I am pretty sure that you know better than that communist wannabes who have spent all their life and career to these topics alone designing the experiments and analysing the data across various different experiments
My favourite is Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg Imo better than atomic habits Habit stacking is in tiny habits too which was written before atomic habits but the author calls it something else thats all
I read Tiny Habits but I'm not sure I can reccomend it. BJ Fogg has done some great work and I use his behaviour model (B=MAP) to design for new behaviours at work for example but you can learn that online for free if you haven't already and you think it's relevant. In his book he also exlapains that model but aside from that and another concept he introduces - which is to celebrate and internally reward yourself (and how to do it) for doing a new behaviour (he calls this "shine"), aside from those there isn't much more that has not been discussed in atomic habits for example. The only other useful thing I could think of that you can find in his book is a much more detailed process outlined on how to debug/design a new behaviour, he offers a very step by step granual analysis on how to create a behaviour or stop a behaviour, to some that might be useful but if you have the big picture takeaways you'll probably be fine. Aside from that the book is a very tedious read - certain points couldve been condensed to way less and there's this constant barrage of reference and mentions of BJ' Foggs trainings,workshops, his certified coaches etc. , the book honestly felt like an advertisment at times for his other services. Lastly, although BJ.Fogg has a PhD and is a professor at Stanford and we perhaps can't expect for him to write a more enjoyable book than say James Clear (an online blogger,writer author), what surprised me the most is he offered ZERO references, no scientific backing or research for anything he claims in the book, an internet blogger actually outdid him in that department and pretty much all of the things he is presenting are in anecdotes. Maybe he did this cause he wanted to target a more general audience, i dont know but for a professor and PhD to not at least include some index or reference materials is beyond me.
I have but I'm not sure I can reccomend it. Here's what I got out of it and why I probably wouldn't reccomend it: BJ Fogg has done some great work and I use his behaviour model (B=MAP) to design for new behaviours at work for example but you can learn that online for free if you haven't already and you think it's relevant. In his book he also exlapains that model but aside from that and another concept he introduces - which is to celebrate and internally reward yourself (and how to do it) for doing a new behaviour (he calls this "shine"), aside from those there isn't much more that has not been discussed in atomic habits for example. The only other useful thing I could think of that you can find in his book is a much more detailed process outlined on how to debug/design a new behaviour, he offers a very step by step granual analysis on how to create a behaviour or stop a behaviour, to some that might be useful but if you have the big picture takeaways you'll probably be fine. Aside from that the book is a very tedious read - certain points couldve been condensed to way less and there's this constant barrage of reference and mentions of BJ' Foggs trainings,workshops, his certified coaches etc. , the book honestly felt like an advertisment at times for his other services. Lastly, although BJ.Fogg has a PhD and is a professor at Stanford and we perhaps can't expect for him to write a more enjoyable book than say James Clear (an online blogger,writer author), what surprised me the most is he offered ZERO references, no scientific backing or research for anything he claims in the book and pretty much all of the things he is presenting are in anecdotes. Maybe he did this cause he wanted to target a more general audience, i dont know but you're a professor and PhD how do you at least not include some index or reference materials is beyond me.
good stuff Pete! Agree with the overemphasis on identity in Clear's book and the underplaying of environment. And thank you for shouting out 'habit discontinuity'! I love that there's a phrase for this idea, so powerful to create and take advantage of these blank-slate moments in life :)
Great video! I am would interested in a more detailed breakdown of the 'tips' brought up in the books. As someone that has an interest in the science but doesn't have the time to dive into all of it get some summaries of the conclusions from each book would be nice. 😁
Then you aren't taking notes or processing much of the information. You just pride yourself on reading a book fast and thinking you are smart. This is evidenced by the fact that you would brag about it in a youtube comment section.
Interesting review; I'm definitely going to buy Good Habits, Bad Habits now.
I do think that something can be a useful suggestion and yet not backed by any (existing) research. I'm not implying this is at odds with what you're saying (I don't know if you disagree with that statement or not), but I think it's a useful addendum.
My prior of "how likely I think a technique is going to be successful" is definitely going to be higher for something that's got decent, replicated research around it.
But plenty of useful knowledge in the world just doesn't have any rigorous science around it. This is the case for most practical endeavours, where in everything from sales to management consulting to cooking to building have frameworks and methods that aren't explicitly science based, but which have some evidence for effectiveness. (And plenty of useless knowledge does have apparently rigorous but actually false research behind it, cf lots of Thinking Fast and Slow).
In practice, I'd treat some advice like eg treating something as an "I get to" rather than "I have to" as just one of a number of plausible things I can try. Indeed, ultimately, with all self help, it's about just trying things and getting feedback. Conclusions based on research are ultimately about populations, not individuals, and your mileage may vary even with research-backed recommendations.
In atomic habits he actually talks about how habits is easier to change in a new environment its on page 82
4:00 In Clear's defense, the friction from the environment and the instability of bad circumstances can have powerful effects on our identity. But we arguably have more control over our identity than we have over our external circumstances, so focusing more on identity could help us overcome our circumstances.
These factors aren't mutually exclusive; they can be mutually reinforcing, for better or for worse. Perhaps focusing more on the external factors is most helpful from a policy-making perspective, while focusing more on identity can be more empowering from an individual perspective. The key is to avoid an exclusive reliance on just one set of factors.
Thanks for sharing your POV. I think we have more control over our external environment than our identity to be honest. Obviously we can’t change the cards we’re dealt in terms of SES and so on. But what behsci tells us, is that even small changes to our daily environment can have profound effects on our behavior
Do we really have more control over the environment than identity? What if there's other people in your environment that controls your environment for example your living in a bad environment with a lot of bad people that you don't have control over the things that they do. Do you still have control over the environment?
Hi Pete,
On your recommendation, I have started reading Good habits, bad habits. Something that frustrates me is how less control I have over my environment, because I live with my parents. They, as mentioned in the book, increase the rate of chaos in my life. This makes it quite difficult to study or eat healthily.
Any insights on how we can successfully change, even if our context for the most part doesn't support it? Or any other views on how to work with constraints that other people tend to add to habit building?
It’s a tough one! If you can have a word with your parents and ask them to help you make some changes. That would be my best advice.
@@PeteJudo1 that's a bummer 😕. Thanks though. Also, you've good great and intriguing content.
@@PeteJudo1 Have just read both books and watched your review. It seems that James Clear places a lot of emphasis on the cure, craving, routine reward cycle. He states (in his 4 Laws of Habit Change) that if a habit no longer provides a reward, the habit will stop firing. In this context, the reward is what generates the craving, (which was never mention by Charles Duhigg in The Power of Habit). Wendy Wood states that habits may form by chance in some circumstances...you sit on one side of the couch by chance but that becomes your norm based on repetition and you feel more comfy repeating past behaviours. She also mentions how people continue performing the same habits even when the reward is no longer present, (and I assume therefore, that the craving element of the habit loop is no longer present).
This seems a fundamental difference of opinion, (or maybe I'm wrong?). Just wondered what your thoughts were as this does considerably change how you change/break/evolve unwanted habits.
Thanks in advance if you have time to reply :)
While I don't doubt Pete's analysis, I have already read atomic habits and don't feel the need for another habit based book, certainly a good read if I want to learn more on habits
And he also does talk about how environment plays a role in our behaviour and what can do about it to change our behaviour
I think behavioral scientists put too much emphasis on environmental impact on behavior change, neglecting individual psychology. Environmental changes may increase probability of a certain behavior, but we are more complicated than that.
Yes, I agree dude. I am pretty sure that you know better than that communist wannabes who have spent all their life and career to these topics alone designing the experiments and analysing the data across various different experiments
100% agree with your review.
Great video, Pete. Adding good habits bad habits to the list!
My favourite is Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
Imo better than atomic habits
Habit stacking is in tiny habits too which was written before atomic habits but the author calls it something else thats all
I read Tiny Habits but I'm not sure I can reccomend it.
BJ Fogg has done some great work and I use his behaviour model (B=MAP) to design for new behaviours at work for example but you can learn that online for free if you haven't already and you think it's relevant.
In his book he also exlapains that model but aside from that and another concept he introduces - which is to celebrate and internally reward yourself (and how to do it) for doing a new behaviour (he calls this "shine"), aside from those there isn't much more that has not been discussed in atomic habits for example. The only other useful thing I could think of that you can find in his book is a much more detailed process outlined on how to debug/design a new behaviour, he offers a very step by step granual analysis on how to create a behaviour or stop a behaviour, to some that might be useful but if you have the big picture takeaways you'll probably be fine.
Aside from that the book is a very tedious read - certain points couldve been condensed to way less and there's this constant barrage of reference and mentions of BJ' Foggs trainings,workshops, his certified coaches etc. , the book honestly felt like an advertisment at times for his other services.
Lastly, although BJ.Fogg has a PhD and is a professor at Stanford and we perhaps can't expect for him to write a more enjoyable book than say James Clear (an online blogger,writer author), what surprised me the most is he offered ZERO references, no scientific backing or research for anything he claims in the book, an internet blogger actually outdid him in that department and pretty much all of the things he is presenting are in anecdotes. Maybe he did this cause he wanted to target a more general audience, i dont know but for a professor and PhD to not at least include some index or reference materials is beyond me.
Loved seeing Professor Wood in the video. :) Keep up the awesome videos, Pete!!!
I’ve been trying to find a source where I can find books that are backed science, and I’m soooo happy I just stumbled upon your channel
Welcome Ethan! I have a bunch of book reviews if that’s what you want! But check out my other videos too!
You can search with the help of ChatGPT, I ask for recommendations of such books
@@pablogarcia3461 that’s what I’ve been doing recently. Good suggestion!
Implementation intentions are used in CBT for ADHD (Russ Ramsey) and most modern CBT for depression (i.e., behavioural activation) :-)
Impressive. I'm gonna buy the yellow one
How about BJ Fogg's book? How does it compare to Wendy Wood's?
this. do you have an answer to this question?
Did you read tiny habits by BJ Fogg? I would love to see your opinion on it.
That's a great book
I have but I'm not sure I can reccomend it. Here's what I got out of it and why I probably wouldn't reccomend it:
BJ Fogg has done some great work and I use his behaviour model (B=MAP) to design for new behaviours at work for example but you can learn that online for free if you haven't already and you think it's relevant.
In his book he also exlapains that model but aside from that and another concept he introduces - which is to celebrate and internally reward yourself (and how to do it) for doing a new behaviour (he calls this "shine"), aside from those there isn't much more that has not been discussed in atomic habits for example. The only other useful thing I could think of that you can find in his book is a much more detailed process outlined on how to debug/design a new behaviour, he offers a very step by step granual analysis on how to create a behaviour or stop a behaviour, to some that might be useful but if you have the big picture takeaways you'll probably be fine.
Aside from that the book is a very tedious read - certain points couldve been condensed to way less and there's this constant barrage of reference and mentions of BJ' Foggs trainings,workshops, his certified coaches etc. , the book honestly felt like an advertisment at times for his other services.
Lastly, although BJ.Fogg has a PhD and is a professor at Stanford and we perhaps can't expect for him to write a more enjoyable book than say James Clear (an online blogger,writer author), what surprised me the most is he offered ZERO references, no scientific backing or research for anything he claims in the book and pretty much all of the things he is presenting are in anecdotes. Maybe he did this cause he wanted to target a more general audience, i dont know but you're a professor and PhD how do you at least not include some index or reference materials is beyond me.
nice videos.
going to read good habits and bad habits, but is it worth reading both? or will Wendy Wood's suffice over atomic habits?
Thanks
interesting, the ratings are a star lower and a lot fewer for good habits bad habits.
Thank you for new video it's always good to have more suggestions to read. Keep up the good work!
by far atomic habits i have sold 400 books to friends and skeptics!! Wood ok but really about comparing about habits!
Subscribed! This was interesting and helpful.
good stuff Pete! Agree with the overemphasis on identity in Clear's book and the underplaying of environment.
And thank you for shouting out 'habit discontinuity'! I love that there's a phrase for this idea, so powerful to create and take advantage of these blank-slate moments in life :)
Thanks man! Glad you agree
Great video! I am would interested in a more detailed breakdown of the 'tips' brought up in the books. As someone that has an interest in the science but doesn't have the time to dive into all of it get some summaries of the conclusions from each book would be nice. 😁
Check out my other videos for habit tips!
@@PeteJudo1 already have 😁
I have read them all and my vote is Atomic Habits, even if it isn't written by an academic.
Thank you for the video but please talk slower.
5-6 hours for 264 pages? Thats 2 or 3 hours tops for me.
Then you aren't taking notes or processing much of the information. You just pride yourself on reading a book fast and thinking you are smart. This is evidenced by the fact that you would brag about it in a youtube comment section.