Wikipedia: Jim Prochaska developer of the transtheoretical model of behavior change which assesses an individual’s readiness to act on a new healthier behavior, and provides strategies, or processes of change to guide the individual through the stages of change to Action and Maintenance.
Related videos: MIT Wellbeing 2014
In the transtheoretical model, change is a “process involving progress through a series of stages:”
- Precontemplation (Not Ready)-“People are not intending to take action in the foreseeable future, and can be unaware that their behaviour is problematic”
- Contemplation (Getting Ready)-“People are beginning to recognize that their behaviour is problematic, and start to look at the pros and cons of their continued actions”
- Preparation (Ready)-“People are intending to take action in the immediate future, and may begin taking small steps toward behaviour change”
- Action – “People have made specific overt modifications in modifying their problem behaviour or in acquiring new healthy behaviours”
- Maintenance – “People have been able to sustain action for at least six months and are working to prevent relapse”
- Termination – “Individuals have zero temptation and they are sure they will not return to their old unhealthy habit as a way of coping”
Relapse/Recycling: In addition, the researchers conceptualized “relapse” (recycling) which is not a stage in itself but rather the “return from Action or Maintenance to an earlier stage.”