In the Transtheoretical Model, what are the stages of change, and what is a key process of change relevant to moving someone from contemplation to preparation?

• A. Action, maintenance, relapse, contemplation; consciousness-raising.
• B. Preparation, action, relapse, maintenance; stimulus control.
• C. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance; a key process is self-liberation.
• D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance; a key process is self-reevaluation.

Answer: (D)

In the Transtheoretical Model, people progress through five stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. The shift from contemplation to preparation is driven by processes that change how a person views themselves and their behavior. A key process here is self-reevaluation, which involves reassessing how the current behavior aligns with one’s values and self-image and weighing the personal benefits of changing against the costs of staying the same. This thoughtful reassessment helps someone see that change fits who they want to be, prompting them to move into planning and taking concrete steps.

Other choices miss the stage sequence or pair the transition with processes less central to moving from contemplation to preparation. For example, while awareness-raising can help earlier stages, self-reevaluation specifically supports the shift toward readiness and planning, whereas self-liberation is more about committing to change and fits later in the process.