This is a Nail Biter.

Students all across the world get nervous at times. The question of why this unconscious decision happens so often still lingers. A study done by Gilly Koritzky and Eldad Yechiam about nail biting (Onychophagia) tries to examine the reasons behind the impulsive habit. The two authors express the idea of using non-removable bands placed around the wrist as well as the ankle. The two factors are used to see whether or not a reminder is needed to stop a habit. Participants were 80 students (51 males and 29 females) who replied to ads spread around campus. Unconscious behavioral decisions made by individuals can be put to an end by using a simple “no”.
          In past studies reminders have been shown to be effective. Doctors use reminders all the time to manage their routine check-ups with patients. This study is generated to evaluate the use of reminders for modifying an “impulsive and maladaptive habit”. Koritzky and Yechiam are mainly focusing on the ability to use reminders to avoid this impulsive behavior that is not regulated and doesn’t contemplate long-term goals. Quick immediate satisfaction is the actual motive. There are two major theories that say reminders should be helpful in the modification of impulsive behavior. “Bandura’s (1989)sociocognitive theory suggests that means of affecting behavior should be regulated by the person’s own agency”(Koritzky,Yechiam, 3). The second theory consists of a weak memory process. This states that not only poor impulse control and related motivational biases but “addiction” is the cause root cause of the problem.
          The participants were, nail biters that had the willingness to quit, randomly chosen to participate in one of two conditions. A portion of these participants were told to where a non-removable vinyl wristband for a period of 6 weeks. The wristbands were created to represent participants’ resolution to stop biting their nails and remind them of it. They were also told to apply a secondary manipulation to keep the individuals from biting their nails. This manipulation made them applied bitter-tasting nail enamel to their nails routinely. Half of these participants applied normal clear enamel to their nails while the other half had colored enamel placed on the nails.
           Within this 6 week period these participants were observed on how many times they normally bit their nails. The first session the average was around 10 times a day. At the Second session the average dropped dramatically to an estimated 2 times a day. Sessions 3 and the end result at the follow up were sitting at the same number of 2.5 times a day. This shows how over a 6 week period of consciously reminding yourself not to continue partaking in a bad behavioral habit that it can be stopped.
           Many college students that have this obsession to bite their nails are able to put an end to if they truly want to. Onychophagia also known as nail biting is a behavior that many college students have and deal with on a day to day basis. As this study shows, participants that have a desire to put an end to something then it can be done.