HCC Transtheoretical Model of Change 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which pair of TTM stages is MOST associated with behavioral processes of change rather than experiential ones?
- Precontemplation and Contemplation
- Contemplation and Preparation
- Action and Maintenance (Correct answer)
- Preparation and Contemplation
Correct answer: Action and Maintenance
Behavioral processes of change (e.g., stimulus control, counterconditioning) are most active and relevant in the Action and Maintenance stages.
Question 2: A holistic coach notices that a client in Maintenance is starting to slip into old patterns after 8 months. What stage might this client be entering?
- Termination
- Relapse (Recycling) (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Precontemplation
Correct answer: Relapse (Recycling)
In TTM, relapse means returning to a prior stage—often Contemplation or Preparation—after failing to sustain the behavior in Maintenance.
Question 3: Which TTM construct refers to a client's confidence in their ability to maintain a change across high-risk situations?
- Decisional balance
- Self-efficacy (Correct answer)
- Consciousness raising
- Social liberation
Correct answer: Self-efficacy
Self-efficacy in TTM measures a client's confidence to resist relapse temptations and sustain behavior change.
Question 4: A client in Precontemplation argues that their stress-eating is 'not a real problem.' Which coach approach is MOST appropriate?
- Challenge the client's denial directly
- Provide emotional support and raise consciousness gently (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to set a quit date
- Teach relapse prevention strategies
Correct answer: Provide emotional support and raise consciousness gently
In Precontemplation, coaches should gently raise consciousness and increase awareness without confrontation, since the client isn't ready to change.
Question 5: The TTM 'decisional balance' construct is MOST useful for identifying which of the following?
- How long a client has been in a given stage
- The client's perceived pros and cons of changing behavior (Correct answer)
- Which behavioral processes to apply next
- The client's social support network strength
Correct answer: The client's perceived pros and cons of changing behavior
Decisional balance assesses the relative weight the client gives to the benefits versus costs of making a change.
Question 6: In TTM, 'stimulus control' is best described as:
- Using rewards to reinforce new behaviors
- Removing cues that trigger unhealthy behaviors (Correct answer)
- Assessing how the environment affects self-image
- Seeking support from others during difficult moments
Correct answer: Removing cues that trigger unhealthy behaviors
Stimulus control involves restructuring the environment to reduce cues associated with the problem behavior.
Question 7: Which TTM stage is characterized by a client who has set a specific start date and is taking small preparatory steps toward change?
- Contemplation
- Preparation (Correct answer)
- Action
- Maintenance
Correct answer: Preparation
In the Preparation stage, clients have a plan and intend to act within 30 days, often taking initial small steps.
HCC Transtheoretical Model of Change 3
Which pair of TTM stages is MOST associated with behavioral processes of change rather than experiential ones?