How Do Habits Shape Students’ Use of Effective Learning Strategies?
Release Date: 05/05/2026
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info_outline...with Ann-Kathrin Krause
In this episode, Ann-Katrin Krause, a PhD student in educational psychology at the Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education in Frankfurt, discusses her research on the role of habits in students' learning strategy use, exploring why students often default to ineffective strategies like rereading despite knowing better alternatives exist. The conversation covers how environmental cues trigger habitual behaviours, the distinction between automaticity and effectiveness, and practical strategies like habit stacking and if-then planning. Ann-Katrin also highlights how teachers can foster effective study habits by embedding strategies into classroom routines.
Ann-Kathrin Research can be found here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-025-10087-3
Futher reading is available here:
Gardner, B., & Rebar, A. L. (2019). Habit formation and behavior change. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/
Gardner, B., Rebar, A. L., De Wit, S., & Lally, P. (2024). What is habit and how can it be used to change real-world behaviour? Narrowing the theory–reality gap. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 18(6), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.
Podcast bullet points:
- Research on students' self-regulated learning skills
- The role of habits in learning and strategy use
- The gap between knowledge of effective strategies and actual behavior
- Environmental cues and their influence on habit formation
- The distinction between automaticity and effectiveness in study habits
- The impact of motivation and self-discipline on study behaviors
- The importance of teacher support in developing effective study habits
- Strategies for habit formation, including "habit stacking" and implementation intentions
- The role of rewards in reinforcing study habits
- The need for self-awareness and reflection in changing study behaviours