Amber bites her nails when nervous, without conscious awareness; this is an example of a which concept?

• A. Habit
• B. Compulsion
• C. Routine
• D. Addiction

Answer: (A)

A habit is an automatic behavior triggered by a cue and performed with little conscious thought. Amber’s nail-biting occurs in response to nervousness and is done without deliberate awareness, which fits how a habit operates—the cue (feeling nervous) prompts the action and repetition makes it automatic. This differs from a compulsion, which is a distress-relieving act that people often perform with some awareness of the urge and intent to reduce anxiety. It also isn’t a routine, which is a broader, more deliberate pattern of behavior, nor an addiction, which involves cravings and dependence.