Chapter 5

HABIT

1. The nature of habit: The physical basis of habit--All living tissue plastic--Habit a modification of brain tissue--We must form habits. 2. The place of habit in the economy of our lives: Habit increases skill and efficiency--Habit saves effort and fatigue--Habit economizes moral effort--The habit of attention--Habit enables us to meet the disagreeable--Habit the foundation of personality--Habit saves worry and rebellion. 3. The tyranny of habit: Even good habits need to be modified--The tendency of "ruts." 4. Habit-forming a part of education: Youth the time for habit-forming--The habit of achievement. 5. Rules for habit-forming: James's three maxims for habit-forming--The preponderance of good habits over bad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66