Goal-Directed and Habitual Behavioral Control across the Compulsivity Spectrum: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Evidence from Experimental Research

Barcelona, Spain · May 2026

Posters · Choices & Consequences: Judgment and Decision-Making

Antonio Vazquez-Millan
Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina
Antonio Vazquez-Millan
University of Málaga
Sara Molinero
Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina
Sara Molinero
University of Málaga
Alessandro Pellegrinetti
University of Málaga
David Luque
Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina
David Luque
University of Málaga

Abstract

We will conduct a meta-analysis to test the habit hypothesis of compulsive behavior. From this perspective, compulsions arise from a maladaptive regulation of goal-directed and habitual processes, highlighting their inflexibility and lack of purpose, which contradicts the cognitive models that consider compulsions as goal-directed strategies to neutralize intense emotional distress.

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Goal-Directed and Habitual Behavioral Control across the Compulsivity Spectrum: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Evidence from Experimental Research

Abstract

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