Exam 5: Assessment and Goal Formulation

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The five stages of change, also known as the stages of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), were developed by psychologists James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente in the late 1970s. This model is used to understand the process of intentional behavior change, particularly in the context of health psychology. The five stages are:

1. Precontemplation: In this stage, individuals are not yet considering change or are unaware that their behavior is problematic. They may be defensive or dismissive of the need for change and are not intending to take action in the foreseeable future.

2. Contemplation: At this stage, individuals become aware of the need for change and begin to think about it seriously. They recognize the pros and cons of their current behavior and the potential benefits of changing. However, they may still feel ambivalent and are not yet ready to commit to taking action.

3. Preparation: Individuals in the preparation stage are getting ready to make a change. They have decided to change their behavior and may start taking small steps toward it. They might set goals, gather information, and plan out their course of action. This stage is characterized by an intention to take action in the immediate future, typically within the next month.

4. Action: This is the stage where individuals actively modify their behavior, experiences, or environment to overcome their problems. The action stage involves considerable commitment of time and energy. People in this stage are at increased risk of relapse, so support systems are crucial to help maintain the changes.

5. Maintenance: After successfully changing their behavior, individuals work to sustain the change over time and prevent relapse. This stage can last from several months to years. It involves incorporating the new behavior into one's life and working to maintain it as a new habit or norm.

It's important to note that the Transtheoretical Model also acknowledges that relapse is a common part of the change process. Individuals may cycle through the stages several times before the change becomes fully established. This is sometimes referred to as "recycling" through the stages.

The model has been applied to a wide range of behaviors, including smoking cessation, weight control, and substance abuse, and is a helpful framework for understanding how people change their behaviors over time.