Which are stages of the transtheoretical model of change?

Which are stages of the transtheoretical model of change?

• A. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, relapse
• B. Precontemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance
• C. Preparation, Action, Termination
• D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance

Answer: (A)

The thing this question is testing is how change unfolds as a process, not just a single moment. The transtheoretical model sees behavior change as a sequence of stages that reflect a person’s readiness to change: starting with not even considering a change, moving to thinking about it, then preparing to change, then taking action, and finally working to maintain the new behavior. This option also includes relapse as a stage, which, in practice, acknowledges that people often cycle back to earlier phases after a lapse. Recognizing relapse as part of the process helps teams design interventions that support people through setbacks and back toward maintenance rather than treating relapse as a failure. So, this sequence—precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse—best captures the typical progression and the non-linear nature of real-world change. Other options either skip stages or imply a finality (like termination) that doesn’t fit the common understanding of ongoing behavior change, or omit a stage that’s part of the usual progression.

The thing this question is testing is how change unfolds as a process, not just a single moment. The transtheoretical model sees behavior change as a sequence of stages that reflect a person’s readiness to change: starting with not even considering a change, moving to thinking about it, then preparing to change, then taking action, and finally working to maintain the new behavior. This option also includes relapse as a stage, which, in practice, acknowledges that people often cycle back to earlier phases after a lapse. Recognizing relapse as part of the process helps teams design interventions that support people through setbacks and back toward maintenance rather than treating relapse as a failure.

So, this sequence—precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse—best captures the typical progression and the non-linear nature of real-world change. Other options either skip stages or imply a finality (like termination) that doesn’t fit the common understanding of ongoing behavior change, or omit a stage that’s part of the usual progression.