Comments on: Is Human Behavior Consistent Over Time? http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/ Simple. Frugal. Fabulous. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:56:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Brip Blap http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1361 Brip Blap Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:32:04 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1361 I would toss in that in my case the weight loss couldn't entirely be attributed to a change in my mindset, exactly. What launched it for me was a day when I had to stop and catch my breath after climbing a single flight of stairs. The attitude change was driven (basically) by a fear of dying. Of course, most changes in attitude ARE probably driven by external events. I am not sure I've ever had any significant changes in my basic nature, actually. I think it's just been a redirection of efforts or attention in one way or another based on reactions to those external events. Thought-provoking post! I would toss in that in my case the weight loss couldn’t entirely be attributed to a change in my mindset, exactly. What launched it for me was a day when I had to stop and catch my breath after climbing a single flight of stairs. The attitude change was driven (basically) by a fear of dying.

Of course, most changes in attitude ARE probably driven by external events. I am not sure I’ve ever had any significant changes in my basic nature, actually. I think it’s just been a redirection of efforts or attention in one way or another based on reactions to those external events.

Thought-provoking post!

]]> By: Sunday Morning Link Love ~ Too Close to Call | I've Paid For This Twice Already... http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1357 Sunday Morning Link Love ~ Too Close to Call | I've Paid For This Twice Already... Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:17:03 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1357 [...] Remodeling This Life: Is Human Behavior Consistent Over Time? [...] [...] Remodeling This Life: Is Human Behavior Consistent Over Time? [...]

]]> By: fathersez http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1350 fathersez Sun, 06 Apr 2008 06:05:08 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1350 I agree with Donna. It takes quite a lot to change one's behavior. The CC companies and other nasty lenders like pay day lenders etc., work on the basic premise that not many are disciplined. I agree with Donna.

It takes quite a lot to change one’s behavior. The CC companies and other nasty lenders like pay day lenders etc., work on the basic premise that not many are disciplined.

]]> By: Donna M. http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1349 Donna M. Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:03:56 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1349 People can change their behaviors. They just have to be very, very determined and disciplined. Sadly, most people can not muster determination and discipline for any length of time. There has to be a sustaining motivation. People can change their behaviors. They just have to be very, very determined and disciplined. Sadly, most people can not muster determination and discipline for any length of time. There has to be a sustaining motivation.

]]> By: Emily http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1345 Emily Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:45:19 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1345 Good points, everyone! I guess I have to remember all the people that jump into the debt world as others are jumping out. I don't doubt that the credit card companies make a lot of money based on people not ever changing their spending. And I totally agree about the transferring of habits. I have seen a lot of people give up one bad thing and replace it with another. Thanks for the discussion and thoughts! Good points, everyone! I guess I have to remember all the people that jump into the debt world as others are jumping out. I don’t doubt that the credit card companies make a lot of money based on people not ever changing their spending.

And I totally agree about the transferring of habits. I have seen a lot of people give up one bad thing and replace it with another.

Thanks for the discussion and thoughts!

]]> By: Four Pillars http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1344 Four Pillars Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:35:28 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1344 I'm with Deepali - the people who give the credit card companies their biggest profits make a up certain percentage of the population which remains constant. As one person stops using CC then another person takes their place. Mike I’m with Deepali - the people who give the credit card companies their biggest profits make a up certain percentage of the population which remains constant. As one person stops using CC then another person takes their place.

Mike

]]> By: deepali http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1343 deepali Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:02:00 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1343 Theoretically speaking, human behavior is pretty consistent over time. But statistics is just the law of averages, so that doesn't mean that every single person is like that. Just the average person. So if you were going to bet on a random stranger being consistent or not consistent, your chances are better betting on consistency. That being said, I think there is still some debate over whether consistency is true given different situations. So if a person's situation changes, it could change their behavior. In that case, your betting risk is less clear. One thing I have noticed about people - behavior is often shifted. Someone might make improvements in personal finance issues, but then problems start cropping up in terms of nutrition or health. IE, unhealthy spending becomes unhealthy eating. It's hard to change life-long habits! Theoretically speaking, human behavior is pretty consistent over time. But statistics is just the law of averages, so that doesn’t mean that every single person is like that. Just the average person. So if you were going to bet on a random stranger being consistent or not consistent, your chances are better betting on consistency.
That being said, I think there is still some debate over whether consistency is true given different situations. So if a person’s situation changes, it could change their behavior. In that case, your betting risk is less clear.

One thing I have noticed about people - behavior is often shifted. Someone might make improvements in personal finance issues, but then problems start cropping up in terms of nutrition or health. IE, unhealthy spending becomes unhealthy eating. It’s hard to change life-long habits!

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1342 Mrs. Micah Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:58:31 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1342 I think a lot of people don't change because it's much more comfortable not to. I think those that do change have significant motivation. Maybe it was getting uncomfortable to stay the way they were...and they definitely can be more comfortable after defeating the debt or losing the weight. It's easy to get discouraged. And it's at that point that you have to decide whether or not to slip back into the old habits or keep going. I think a lot of people don’t change because it’s much more comfortable not to.

I think those that do change have significant motivation. Maybe it was getting uncomfortable to stay the way they were…and they definitely can be more comfortable after defeating the debt or losing the weight.

It’s easy to get discouraged. And it’s at that point that you have to decide whether or not to slip back into the old habits or keep going.

]]> By: lyza http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1339 lyza Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:23:15 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1339 Hey! I think it is true what they said. I come from a family with financial problems and a bankrupty. Now I try to be different from them, but I have been in trouble several time. Now I am to the head in debt and I propose myself to get out from debt and stay like that forver. This require so much power, it is like to leave cigarettes or drugs. Read my story at to.the.finance.freedom Hey! I think it is true what they said. I come from a family with financial problems and a bankrupty. Now I try to be different from them, but I have been in trouble several time. Now I am to the head in debt and I propose myself to get out from debt and stay like that forver. This require so much power, it is like to leave cigarettes or drugs. Read my story at to.the.finance.freedom

]]> By: Lynnae http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1337 Lynnae Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:50:17 +0000 http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/04/04/is-human-behavior-consistent-over-time/#comment-1337 Good question! I obviously think people can change. But I also think a lot of people go with the flow and compare themselves to other people. So people tend to do whatever is popular in society at the moment. But I think when someone who becomes influential makes a big change (like Dave Ramsey & getting out of debt), they start making people think, and more and more people are willing to make the change, because now the change is becoming popular. Wow, could I say "change" any more in that sentence??? Thanks for the link! Good question! I obviously think people can change. But I also think a lot of people go with the flow and compare themselves to other people. So people tend to do whatever is popular in society at the moment.

But I think when someone who becomes influential makes a big change (like Dave Ramsey & getting out of debt), they start making people think, and more and more people are willing to make the change, because now the change is becoming popular.

Wow, could I say “change” any more in that sentence??? Thanks for the link!

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