‘Compulsive habits’ are actions that someone repeats regularly, often without thinking, because they feel driven to do them.

Maxwell says: (i) School children develop compulsive habits like placing their books, pencils, and other things in a specific order on their desks. (ii) Mij, the otter, had a compulsive habit of jumping on Maxwell’s knees and rolling onto his back every time he returned to the bedroom, even if it was just for a moment.