Behavior Change Theories Flashcards

A client tells their coach, 'I know I need to quit smoking. I've set a quit date for two weeks from now and I've already bought some nicotine patches.' According to the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change), which stage is this client demonstrating?

Answer: Preparation

The client is in the Preparation stage because they have moved beyond simply thinking about change (Contemplation) and are making specific plans and taking initial steps (setting a date, buying patches) to implement the change in the immediate future, typically within the next month.

A coach is working with a client who wants to start exercising but feels intimidated by the gym. The coach suggests exploring online workout videos the client can do at home. This strategy primarily supports which core psychological need from Self-Determination Theory?

Answer: Competence

By suggesting an alternative to the gym that the client can do in a private, less intimidating environment, the coach is helping the client build a sense of mastery and effectiveness. This directly supports their need for Competence, which is the feeling of being capable and effective in one's actions.

A client with prediabetes is resistant to changing their diet. To explore the client's 'perceived susceptibility' from the Health Belief Model, which question would be most appropriate for the coach to ask?

Answer: What do you believe might happen if you don't make any changes to your diet?

Perceived susceptibility refers to an individual's subjective assessment of their risk of developing a health problem. The question, 'What do you believe might happen if you don't make any changes to your diet?' directly prompts the client to consider their personal risk and the potential negative consequences, which is the core of this construct.

According to Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, a client's belief in their own capability to successfully complete a task, such as meal prepping for the week, is known as:

Answer: Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is a central concept in Social Cognitive Theory and refers to an individual's belief and confidence in their ability to execute the behaviors necessary to produce specific outcomes. It is a key determinant of whether an individual will even attempt a new behavior.

A client explains, 'I want to start walking during my lunch break, and I think it would make me feel more energetic. However, all of my coworkers go out for fast food, and I feel pressured to join them.' Within the Theory of Planned Behavior, the coworkers' influence represents which construct?

Answer: Subjective Norm

The Theory of Planned Behavior defines a 'subjective norm' as an individual's perception of the social pressure to perform or not perform a specific behavior. The client's feeling of pressure from coworkers is a classic example of this construct influencing their behavioral intention.

Which of the following best distinguishes the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)?

Answer: The TTM is a stage-based model that views change as a process over time, while the TPB focuses on the predictive factors of behavioral intention at a single point in time.

The core difference is that the TTM describes the *process* of change through distinct stages (e.g., Precontemplation, Action). The TPB is not a stage model; instead, it provides a framework for understanding and predicting a person's intention to act based on their attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control at a given moment.