By Krishanali Merchant
The intriguing concept of human behaviour is woven together with both conscious and unconscious actions. Among the most interesting of these is habitual behaviour, which we exhibit without active awareness of it. Ranging from knowing exactly how one's keys are placed on a keyboard to the automatic way we knock on doors, it shows the great capacity of the human brain to learn, adapt, and streamline everyday tasks.
One very compelling example of such habitual behaviour is touch typing. Many can efficiently type out what they write on the computer without looking at their keyboards. This ability is the remarkable power of the brain to encode and remember repeated actions. With practice, it becomes an automatic skill for a person to type, enabling them to look at the content of what they are writing rather than the mechanical process of locating the placement of the keys. In the same manner, one can see this in musicians playing an instrument without looking at their hands or in athletes who instinctively perform complex actions during a game.
Similarly, consider knocking on the door. Most people seem to have a rhythm they use, a pattern developed over countless repetitions. Habits like this knock are so deeply ingrained that they can identify the person, recognizable to those familiar with the action. Behaviours are often acted out in the absence of conscious thought and demonstrate the brain's ability to manage routine actions with ease.
Another example is walking through familiar environments without the use of the sense of sight. We unconsciously navigate through our living rooms in the dark, avoiding obstacles, and moving with confidence, guided by the mental map we have created over time. This inner navigation system is an impressive example of spatial memory.
These can also lead to more complex actions and impulsive ones: when driving, a practised driver reacts to signals and road conditions almost reflexively in a split second. At the same time, such automaticity—owing to extensive practice and application—enables quick, effective responses crucial to safety.
Sometimes this habitual nature can be funny or confusing. Do you recall the time when you instinctively reached for your phone in your pocket and then suddenly realised that you didn't have it? Or you entered a room and forgot why you were there. The brain has relied on habitual behaviour, meaning that things that are familiar in contexts or cues stimulate habitual actions.
These automatic actions are hallmarks of the brain's adaptability and ability to optimise performance and efficiency. By making routine tasks the work of the unconscious, we free up the cognitive functions for more complex and new challenges. This mental division of labour makes us more productive and demonstrates the subtlety and finesse of human cognition. Whether it's typing on a keyboard, knocking on a door, or navigating a familiar space, these habits illustrate the ease and grace through which learned behaviour integrates into our lives, making the ordinary just that little bit extraordinary.
By Krishanali Merchant
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