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Editors

Sonderforschungsbereich SFB 1280 Extinktionslernen

Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
44801 Bochum
Germany

Room: IB 6/123
Tel.: 0049 234 32-24634
Fax: 0049 0234 32-14377

Mail: extinction-learning@rub.de

Representatives

The Sonderforschungsbereich SFB 1280 Exinktion Learning, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), is an institution at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. The research association is represented by its spokespersons, the Speaker Professor Dr. Onur Güntürkün and the Co-Speaker Professor Dr. Dagmar Timmann.

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References for used pictures

In the event of any violation of personal rights, we gently ask you to inform us. In this case we will remove the respective pictures and/or videos immediately.

Image rights if not otherwise stated: Department of Education Communication of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum or the Sonderforschungsbereich 1280.

Photographers
>> Ruhr-Universität Bochum, picture editorial office, Katja Marquard
>> Muriel Kaysh, student assistant of the SFB 1280
>>as well as members of the SFB 1280 and the FOR 1581

> Susanne Troll is photographer of the first photo made for the Research Department of Neuroscience of Ruhr University Bochum (site “Young Scientists”), and of the photos made for the International Graduate School of Neuroscience (site “Graduate Schools”, “Equality”).
>> Dr. Alexandru Munteanu is photographer of the pictures made for the Department of Biopsycholigy (site “Discover”).
>> MushonZer-Aviv is graphic designer of the print “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”, found on Flickr.com (Site “Young Scientists”). The stack of coins is taken from ignorelimits.com/if-i-have-seen-further-it-is-by-standing-on-the-shoulders-of-giants (Site “Young Scientists”).
>> The journal excerpt (page “Media”) is taken from Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, August 2016 “Extinction Learning from a Mechanistic and Systems Perspective”. In the “Kid’s Corner” (page “Media”) the used symbol images are taken from Neuroscience for Kids from the University of Washington as well as Backyard Brains. 
>> Victor Delbono is the graphic designer of the animation “Working together” (page “Cooperation”) – https://lottiefiles.com/34226-working-together
>> The Wissenschaftspodcast logo (Site “Podcast”) was designed by Sven Sedivy (@graphorama) 

New Year, New Me: The Facts

As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).

Most common new years resolutions:

  1. Saving more money (52%)
  2. Eat healthier (50%)
  3. Exercise more (48%)
  4. Lose weight (37%)
  5. Spend more time with family/friends (35%)

How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?

  • Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week. 
  • 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month. 
  • 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.

What makes resolutions stick?

Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.

The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all. 

Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to “take better care of themselves” could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.

So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.