Introduction
The 21-Day Effect is a phenomenon also known as “habit formation” or “habit change” which describes the notion that it takes an average of 21 days for a person to develop a new habit or for an existing one to become ingrained. Over the years, numerous studies and experiments have been conducted to test this theory, and the results have been largely inconclusive. However, the idea of the 21-Day Effect has become popular in the field of psychology, and is often cited as an important factor in the development and maintenance of healthy habits.
History
The first use of the term “21-Day Effect” can be traced back to the 1960s, when the American plastic surgeon Maxwell Maltz began writing about the idea in his book Psycho-Cybernetics. Maltz had observed that it usually took his amputation patients at least 21 days to adjust to the loss of a limb. Maltz hypothesized that this same “adjustment cycle” could be applied to other facets of life, and thus introduced the concept of “habit formation” to the general public.
Scientific Evidence
Since Maltz wrote about the concept, there have been numerous studies conducted to evaluate the validity of the 21-Day Effect. Unfortunately, the results have been largely inconclusive. While some have shown that it does take an average of 21 days to form a new habit, others have shown no correlation between the amount of time required to form a habit and the number of days it takes.
The most comprehensive study to date was conducted in 2009 by researchers at University College London. They examined the data from a series of experiments that had been conducted between 1996 and 2009 concerning habit formation. They concluded that it did take participants an average of 66 days to form a new habit, significantly longer than the 21 days suggested by Maltz.
Implications
Despite the inconclusive evidence, the 21-Day Effect is still widely accepted as a valid concept. It is often used as a motivational tool in both personal and professional settings, and it is often cited in the media. Research suggests that while it may not take exactly 21 days to form a habit, it is still important to focus on consistency and to stick to a routine, as this has been found to be a key factor in making any kind of lasting change (Mandel, 2012).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the “21-Day Effect” is an interesting phenomenon which has been discussed in the realm of psychology for many years. While scientific studies have failed to conclusively prove that it takes 21 days to form a habit, the idea remains popular as a motivational tool and a reminder of the importance of consistency and dedication. Ultimately, it is up to individual people to decide how long it will take them to form a new habit, and it is important to remember that every person is different and that sometimes it may take longer than expected.
References
Mandel, D.R. (2012). Breaking Bad Habits: Change Your Life in 21 Days. Alpha, an imprint of Penguin books.
University College London (2009). Making New Habits Stick. Retrieved from http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0909/09091601
