Miltenberger, R. G., Fuqua, R. W., & Woods, D. W. (1998).
Applying behavior analysis to clinical problems: Review and analysis of habit reversal.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
31, 447-469.
This article provides a review and analysis of habit reversal, a
multicomponent procedure developed by Azrin and Nunn (1973, 1974)
for the treatment of nervous habits, tics, and stuttering. The
article starts with a discussion of the behaviors treated with
habit reversal, behavioral covariation among habits, and
functional analysis and assessment of habits. Research on habit
reversal and simplified versions of the procedure is then
described. Next the article discusses the limitations of habit
reversal and the evidence for its generality. The article
concludes with an analysis of the behavioral processes involved
in habit reversal and suggestions for future research.
DESCRIPTORS: habit reversal, habit disorders, tics,
nervoushabits, covariation, functional analysis, awareness
training, competing response training, social support