Duhigg, C. (2019). The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Work (1st ed.). Vergara.

Abstract

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg provides a rigorous analysis of how habits are formed, modified, and sustained at both individual and organizational levels. Through the "habit loop" model —comprising cue, routine, and reward— the author demonstrates that repetitive behaviors are not random but arise from neurological mechanisms that can be understood and consciously altered.

The book argues that grasping how habits function enables deliberate behavioral change. Its accessible, evidence-based approach is especially relevant for collective behavior redesign and is of interest to professionals in law, criminology, psychology, and education.

This review emphasizes the book’s potential for preventing criminal behavior, interpreting automated responses in vulnerable contexts, and fostering prosocial routines. It also outlines practical strategies for building habits of peace and citizenship within schools and communities.