Behavior Change

How people view their health

situation can influence how they
behave or act
Social Cognitive Theory
• People’s behaviors are driven by external factors
and not by inner forces.
Theory of Reasoned Action

Behavioral
Beliefs

Behavioral
Behavior
Intention

Subjective
Norm
 Precontempl
ation

Maintenan Contempla
ce tion
Relapse

Preparatio
Action
n

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5
 Answer Stage of Change

a. No, I have no plans on exercising more in Precontemplation: No intention to take action

the future. within the next 6 months

b. Lately I have been thinking about exercising Contemplation: Intends to take action within
more. the next 6 months
c. I plan on exercising more and have found an Preparation: Intends to take action within the
exercise class/activity that I plan on doing next 30 days and has taken some behavioural
steps in this direction

d. I have just started an exercise class/activity.
e. I have regularly been doing an exercise
class/activity for 6 months or longer.
f. I always exercise and have been routinely
doing so for the past five years.
Action: Changed overt behaviour for less than
6 months
Maintenance: Changed overt behaviour for
more than 6 months
Termination: No temptation to relapse and
100% confidence

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 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 don’t 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 one’s identity as a person
Ex. Healthy role models
 Self-liberation (I can do it!)
- Making a firm commitment to change
ex. New years resolution
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 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
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Key Elements of Behavior Change
1. Threat 9. Intentions
2. Fear 10. Cues to Action
3. Response Efficacy 11. Reactance
4. Self-Efficacy
5. Barriers
6. Benefits
7. Subjective norms
8. Attitudes