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Wendy Wood Books

1 book·~10 min total read

Wendy Wood is a social psychologist and Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on habit formation, behavior change, and the intersection of psychology and everyday life.

Known for: Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick

Books by Wendy Wood

Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick

Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick

habits·10 min read

In this book, social psychologist Wendy Wood explores the science behind habit formation and change. Drawing on decades of research, she explains how habits work in the brain, why willpower alone is often insufficient, and how to design environments and routines that make good behaviors automatic. The book offers practical strategies for replacing bad habits with beneficial ones and sustaining long-term change.

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Key Insights from Wendy Wood

1

The Nature of Habits

Beneath our awareness runs a remarkable system quietly managing most of what we do—our habit system. We like to think reason and willpower determine our actions, yet research shows that habits are the dominant force behind behavior. Unlike deliberate decisions, habits require little mental effort o...

From Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick

2

How Habits Form

Every habit begins with three essential components: a cue, a repeated behavior, and a rewarding outcome. The cue—be it time of day, location, mood, or even a smell—triggers the routine. Repetition builds neural pathways that make behaviors automatic. Rewards, whether external or emotional, reinforce...

From Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick

About Wendy Wood

Wendy Wood is a social psychologist and Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on habit formation, behavior change, and the intersection of psychology and everyday life. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on th...

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Wendy Wood is a social psychologist and Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on habit formation, behavior change, and the intersection of psychology and everyday life. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on the science of habits.

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Wendy Wood is a social psychologist and Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on habit formation, behavior change, and the intersection of psychology and everyday life.

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