A scientific revolution is occurring in the field of behavior change. This revolution involves a shift from an action paradigm to a stage paradigm in which changing troubled behavior involves progressing through six stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and termination.
Previously almost all research and treatment programs were action-oriented but less than 20% of people with such behaviors are prepared to take action. Action-oriented programs resulted in relatively low participation rates, high dropout rates and small impacts on populations with unhealthy behaviors.
Dr. James O. Prochaska's research from a stage paradigm is demonstrating psychological principles for progressing through the stages of change. Stage-matched treatment programs are demonstrating much higher participation rates, retention rates and impacts on entire populations with unhealthy behaviors.
Dr. Prochaska's discussion about the Transtheoretical Model for behavior change was broadcast live from our website on January 10, 2001, at 1:00 PM eastern standard time. An archive is currently available.
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Prochaska, J.O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1984). The transtheoretical approach: Crossing the traditional boundaries of therapy. Melbourne, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company.
Prochaska, J. O. (1997) A revolution in health promotion: smoking cessation as a case study. In R. J. Resnick and R. H. Rozensky (Eds.) Health psychology through the lifespan: Practice and research opportunities. Washington, DC: American Psychologist Association Press.
Prochaska, J. O., DiClemente, C. C., & Norcross, J. C. (1992). In search of how people change; Applications to addictive behaviors. American Psychologist, 47, 1102-1114.
Vlicer, W.F., Prochaska, J. O., Fava, J. L., Norman, G. J., & Redding, C. A. (1998). Smoking cessation and stress management: Applications of the transtheoretical model of behavior change. Homeostasis, 38, 216-233.
