Behavior Change

How people view their health

situation can influence how
they behave or act

Social Cognitive Theory

Peoples behaviors are driven by external
factors and not by inner forces.

Theory of Reasoned Action

Behavioral
Beliefs

Behavioral
Intention
Subjective
Norm

Behavior

Preconte
mplation
Mainten
ance

Action

Relap
se

Contem
plation

Prepara
tion

Answer

Stage of Change

a. No, I have no plans on exercising

more in the future.

Precontemplation: No intention to
take action within the next 6 months

b. Lately I have been thinking about

exercising more.

Contemplation: Intends to take

action within the next 6 months

c. I plan on exercising more and have Preparation: Intends to take action

found an exercise class/activity that I within the next 30 days and has
plan on doing
taken some behavioural steps in this
direction
d. I have just started an exercise
class/activity.

Action: Changed overt behaviour for

less than 6 months

e. I have regularly been doing an

exercise class/activity for 6 months
or longer.

Maintenance: Changed overt

behaviour for more than 6 months

f. I always exercise and have been

routinely doing so for the past five
years.

Termination: No temptation to
relapse and 100% confidence

Processes of Change
Consciousness-raising (learn about it.)
- Finding and learning new facts and ideas that support the healthy behavior
change
ex. Media Campaigns
Social liberation (Is there help out there?)
- Realizing that the social norms are changing in the direction of supporting the
healthy behavior change
Ex. Healthy policies
Emotional arousal (I dont want that to happen to me!)
- Experiencing negative emotions in association with the unhealthy behavior
Ex. Personal testimonies
Self-reevaluation (Is change really worth it?)
- Realizing that the behavior change is an important part of ones identity as a
person
Ex. Healthy role models
Self-liberation (I can do it!)

Processes of Change
Reward (How can I reward myself along the way?)
- Increasing the rewards for the healthy behavior and decreasing
the rewards for the unhealthy behavior
Ex. incentives
Countering (What can I do instead?)
- Substituting healthier behaviors for the unhealthy behaviors
Ex. Positive self-statements
Environment control (My surroundings make it easy.)
- Removing cues to engage in the unhealthy behavior and adding
cues to engage in the healthy behavior
ex. Avoidance
Helping relationships (Will you help me stick with this?)
- Seeking and using social support for healthy behavior change
Ex. Support groups, Family Intervention

Key Elements of Behavior

Change
1. Threat
2. Fear
3. Response Efficacy
4. Self-Efficacy
5. Barriers
6. Benefits
7. Subjective norms
8. Attitudes
9. Intentions
10.Cues to Action
11.Reactance