Habit vs. Tendency — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
Habit refers to a consistent, often unconscious pattern of behavior typically developed through repetition, whereas tendency denotes a general inclination or likelihood to behave in a certain way.
Difference Between Habit and Tendency
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A habit is an acquired behavior pattern that is regularly followed until it becomes almost involuntary. In contrast, a tendency is not about repetition but rather a natural or prevailing disposition to act in a certain manner. Habits are usually formed as a result of repeated actions over time, such as brushing teeth every morning. On the other hand, tendencies might be observed in less consistent behaviors, like a tendency to procrastinate, which doesn’t occur as regularly as a habit.
When discussing the development, habits are often the result of conscious decisions that evolve into automatic routines. For example, deciding to wake up early and making it a regular practice. Whereas tendencies can be influenced by factors like genetics or environment, such as a tendency to be shy in large gatherings. Habits can be deliberately cultivated and are often seen as beneficial, such as the habit of reading before bed. Conversely, tendencies are often innate and not consciously developed, and they can be either beneficial or detrimental.
In terms of breaking or changing, habits require conscious effort and deliberate actions to alter since they are deeply ingrained behaviors. Tendencies, however, can be swayed or moderated with less effort, depending on the individual's awareness and circumstances, like reducing a tendency to snack late at night by not buying snacks.
Regarding predictability, habits provide a reliable prediction of how a person will behave in specific circumstances due to their repetitive nature. In contrast, tendencies give a general idea but not an absolute certainty, as they are more about inclinations than fixed patterns.
The role in personal development is significant for both; however, habits are often targeted in self-improvement strategies because they can be consciously adjusted or reinforced. Tendencies require a deeper understanding of one's personality and circumstances to manage effectively.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A regular practice or routine that is hard to give up.
A natural inclination towards a certain behavior.
Frequency
Occurs regularly and consistently.
May not occur as consistently.
Conscious Effort
Often begins with a conscious decision.
Less often a result of a conscious decision.
Predictability
Highly predictable due to repetition.
Less predictable, varies by situation.
Changeability
Requires effort and intention to change.
Can be easier to modify with awareness.
Compare with Definitions
Habit
A customary practice or use.
It was her habit to walk alone by the river at sunset.
Tendency
A likelihood of behaving in a particular way.
There’s a tendency among young children to mimic their parents.
Habit
A behavior repeated so often that it becomes automatic.
She has a habit of checking her email first thing every morning.
Tendency
A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
There is a tendency for technology to become obsolete quickly.
Habit
Regular practice or pattern in a person's behavior.
His habit of jogging at dawn contributes to his excellent health.
Tendency
An inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behavior.
She has a tendency to speak quickly when excited.
Habit
A routine of behavior that is repeated and tends to occur subconsciously.
Biting nails is a common nervous habit.
Tendency
A proneness to a particular kind of thought or action.
His tendency to overlook details often leads to errors.
Habit
An acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.
Reading before sleep is a good habit that he cultivated.
Tendency
A predisposition to act or react in a specific way.
Her tendency to procrastinate made deadlines difficult.
Habit
A habit (or wont as a humorous and formal term) is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously.The American Journal of Psychology (1903) defined a "habit, from the standpoint of psychology, [as] a more or less fixed way of thinking, willing, or feeling acquired through previous repetition of a mental experience." Habitual behavior often goes unnoticed in persons exhibiting it, because a person does not need to engage in self-analysis when undertaking routine tasks. Habits are sometimes compulsory.
Tendency
An inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behaviour
For students, there is a tendency to socialize in the evenings
Criminal tendencies
Habit
A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up
He has an annoying habit of interrupting me
We stayed together out of habit
Good eating habits
Tendency
A characteristic likelihood
Fabric that has a tendency to wrinkle.
Habit
A long, loose garment worn by a member of a religious order
Nuns in long brown habits, black veils, and sandals
Tendency
A predisposition to think, act, or proceed in a particular way
His tendency to exaggerate.
Habit
A person's health or constitution
A victim to a consumptive habit
Tendency
A characteristic pattern or point of view
The book's tendency to oversimplify events.
Habit
Be dressed or clothed
A boy habited as a serving lad
Tendency
Movement or prevailing movement in a given direction
Observed the tendency of the wind.
The shoreward tendency of the current.
Habit
A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition
Made a habit of going to bed early.
Tendency
A likelihood of behaving in a particular way or going in a particular direction; a tending toward.
Denim has a tendency to fade.
I have a tendency to get bored after the first half an hour of a movie.
There's a common tendency among first-game visitors to a casino to bet overcautiously.
Habit
An established disposition of the mind or character
A pessimistic habit.
Tendency
(politics) An organised unit or faction within a larger political organisation.
Habit
Customary manner or practice
An early riser by habit.
Tendency
Direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result; drift; causal or efficient influence to bring about an effect or result.
Writings of this kind, if conducted with candor, have a more particular tendency to the good of their country.
In every experimental science, there is a tendency toward perfection.
Habit
An addiction, especially to a narcotic drug.
Tendency
An attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others;
He had an inclination to give up too easily
A tendency to be too strict
Habit
Characteristic appearance, form, or manner of growth, especially of a plant or crystal
"The habit of an apple tree is fine for the small garden" (Robert Dash).
Tendency
An inclination to do something;
He felt leanings toward frivolity
Habit
A distinctive set of clothing or style of dressing, especially of a religious order.
Tendency
A characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect;
The alkaline inclination of the local waters
Fabric with a tendency to shrink
Habit
A riding habit.
Tendency
A general direction in which something tends to move;
The shoreward tendency of the current
The trend of the stock market
Habit
(Archaic) Physical constitution.
Habit
To clothe; dress.
Habit
To clothe in a habit, especially a nun's habit.
Habit
An action performed on a regular basis.
It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.
Habit
An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
By force of habit, he dressed for work even though it was holiday.
Habit
A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
It’s interesting how Catholic and Buddhist monks both wear habits.
Habit
A piece of clothing worn for a specific activity; a uniform.
The new riding habits of the team looked smashing!
Habit
(archaic) Outward appearance; attire; dress.
Habit
Form of growth or general appearance and structure of a variety or species of plant or crystal.
Habit
An addiction.
He has a 10-cigar habit.
Kick the habit
Habit
(transitive) To clothe.
Habit
To inhabit.
Habit
The usual condition or state of a person or thing, either natural or acquired, regarded as something had, possessed, and firmly retained; as, a religious habit; his habit is morose; elms have a spreading habit; esp., physical temperament or constitution; as, a full habit of body.
Habit
The general appearance and manner of life of a living organism.
Habit
Fixed or established custom; ordinary course of conduct; practice; usage; hence, prominently, the involuntary tendency or aptitude to perform certain actions which is acquired by their frequent repetition; as, habit is second nature; also, peculiar ways of acting; characteristic forms of behavior.
A man of very shy, retired habits.
Habit
Outward appearance; attire; dress; hence, a garment; esp., a closely fitting garment or dress worn by ladies; as, a riding habit.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy.
There are, among the statues, several of Venus, in different habits.
Habit
The distinctive clothing worn commonly by nuns or monks; as, in the late 1900's many orders of nuns discarded their habits and began to dress as ordinary lay women.
How use doth breed a habit in a man!
He who reigns . . . upheld by old repute,Consent, or custom
Habit
To inhabit.
In thilke places as they [birds] habiten.
Habit
To dress; to clothe; to array.
They habited themselves like those rural deities.
Habit
To accustom; to habituate.
Habit
An established custom;
It was their habit to dine at 7 every evening
Habit
A pattern of behavior acquired through frequent repetition;
She had a habit twirling the ends of her hair
Long use had hardened him to it
Habit
(religion) a distinctive attire (as the costume of a religious order)
Habit
Excessive use of drugs
Habit
Put a habit on
Common Curiosities
What is a habit?
A habit is a routine or behavior that is performed regularly—and often automatically—due to its frequent repetition.
What is a tendency?
A tendency is an inclination or predisposition towards a particular type of behavior or action.
Are tendencies always negative?
No, tendencies can be either beneficial or detrimental, depending on the nature of the inclination.
Can a tendency become a habit?
Yes, if a particular tendency is repeatedly acted upon, it can develop into a habit over time.
What is the primary difference between a habit and a tendency?
A habit is a regular practice or routine that is often performed unconsciously, while a tendency is an inclination or propensity to act in a certain way, often not fixed by repetition.
Can habits be easily changed?
Changing a habit requires intentional effort and consistent practice, as habits are ingrained behaviors.
How does a habit differ from a tendency?
While habits are specific behaviors done frequently, tendencies are broader inclinations that influence behavior.
Are habits always intentional?
Habits are not always formed intentionally; many develop subconsciously as a result of frequent repetition.
How are habits formed?
Habits are formed through the repeated performance of a behavior until it becomes automatic.
Is a tendency always negative?
No, tendencies can be either positive or negative, depending on the nature of the inclination.
What is an example of a habit?
An example of a habit is brushing your teeth every morning and night without consciously thinking about it.
What role does context play in habits and tendencies?
Context can trigger habits more directly, as they are linked to specific cues and routines, whereas tendencies are less dependent on context and more on individual predispositions.
How do habits and tendencies affect behavior?
Habits directly influence behavior through repeated actions, while tendencies predispose an individual towards certain behaviors without guaranteeing repetition.
Can you break a habit?
Yes, habits can be broken, though it often requires conscious effort and consistent counter-actions over time.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
