International Encyclopedia of Communication Online

Extract

The transtheoretical model is an integrative model of behavior change, combining key constructs from other theories. The model describes how people modify a problem behavior or acquire a positive behavior. It has been very influential in guiding the design of behavior change interventions during the last two decades. The central organizing construct of the model is the stages of change theory (→  Stages of Change Model ). The model also includes a series of independent variables, the processes of change, which are 10 cognitive and behavioral activities that facilitate change, and a series of intermediate outcome measures, including the decisional balance inventory, self-efficacy or situational temptations scale, and behavior measures (→  Health Campaigns, Communication in ). The transtheoretical model is a model of intentional change . The specific focus of the model is on behavior change and the key constructs are dynamic variables, i.e., open to modification, whereas more static variables such as gender and past history are included only as moderator variables. In addition, the model primarily focuses on the decision-making of the individual where other approaches to health promotion study social or biological influences on behavior (→  Planned Social Change through Communication ). The model has been previously applied to a wide variety of problem behaviors. Smoking cessation ... log in or subscribe to read full text