Question

Choose a behavior (such as overeating, shopping, Internet use, etc.) Identify examples of each of the stages of change—pre-contemplation through maintenance—using the behavior you selected as the focus.

Answer 1

The Transtheoretical Model was developed by Prochaska and DiClemente in late 1970 in order to bring about an intentional behavioral change such as quitting of smoking or overeating. According to this model, the change in the habitual behavior occurs through a cyclic process. According to this model the individual passes through six stages of change. They are as follows:

1. Precontemplation: In this stage, the individual is unaware of the problems involved in a habitual behavior and does not intend to make any change in the near future. As far as overeating is concerned, while enjoying tasty foods especially junk food, most of the people are unaware of the problems of overeating.
2. Contemplation: In this stage an individual is little more aware of the problems of the behavior and study the pros and cones. In this stage also he is not determined to change the behavior.
3. Preparation: In this stage the individual may take action to stop the behavior within the next 30 days. The person is well aware that by stopping the behavior he can lead a healthier life.
4. Action: At this stage the individual may modify their behavior or practice more healthy habits. For example, a person with over eating behavior may confine his foods to those prepared at home and also start exercising to reduce the problems such as overweight which was result of over eating.
5. Maintenance: At this stage the individual continue to work on the behavioral changes and try even harder to stick on to newly developed healthy habits.
6. Termination: This is the last stage in which the individual experience no more desire for over eating. Some people who decide to take up a vegetarian diet to reduce over eating may find lesser craving for meat products at this stage. But in most cases, this stage is not reached and the individual continues to be in maintenance stage.

Thus it can be seen that a habitual behavior which is detrimental to the health of a person can be changed through systematic approach through six stages as per Transtheoretical model.