CHES Health Behavior Change Theories 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model describes an individual who has no intention to change behavior within the next 6 months?
- Precontemplation (Correct answer)
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Maintenance
Correct answer: Precontemplation
Precontemplation is the stage in which a person has no intention to take action within the next 6 months, often unaware of or underestimating the problem.
Question 2: In the Health Belief Model, 'perceived barriers' refers to which of the following?
- An individual's belief about the negative aspects of taking a health action (Correct answer)
- The perceived seriousness of a health condition
- Cues that trigger health behavior
- Self-efficacy related to the health action
Correct answer: An individual's belief about the negative aspects of taking a health action
Perceived barriers are the individual's beliefs about the physical and psychological costs or obstacles of performing a recommended health behavior.
Question 3: According to Social Cognitive Theory, 'self-efficacy' is best defined as:
- A person's confidence in their ability to perform a specific behavior (Correct answer)
- The perceived threat of a health condition
- Social norms that influence behavior
- Reinforcement received from peers
Correct answer: A person's confidence in their ability to perform a specific behavior
Self-efficacy, as defined by Bandura in Social Cognitive Theory, is a person's belief in their capability to execute a specific behavior to achieve a desired outcome.
Question 4: The Theory of Planned Behavior includes all of the following constructs EXCEPT:
- Perceived susceptibility (Correct answer)
- Attitude toward the behavior
- Subjective norms
- Perceived behavioral control
Correct answer: Perceived susceptibility
Perceived susceptibility is a construct of the Health Belief Model, not the Theory of Planned Behavior, which focuses on attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.
Question 5: A health educator uses role modeling as a strategy. This is most closely associated with which theory?
- Social Cognitive Theory (Correct answer)
- Health Belief Model
- Transtheoretical Model
- Diffusion of Innovations
Correct answer: Social Cognitive Theory
Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes observational learning and role modeling as key mechanisms through which people acquire and change behaviors.
Question 6: In Diffusion of Innovations theory, 'early adopters' are characterized as:
- Opinion leaders who adopt innovations early and influence others (Correct answer)
- The first 2.5% of a population to adopt an innovation
- Skeptics who require extensive evidence before adopting
- The last group to adopt an innovation
Correct answer: Opinion leaders who adopt innovations early and influence others
Early adopters are respected opinion leaders who embrace new ideas soon after innovators and play a crucial role in persuading the early majority.
CHES Health Behavior Change Theories 1
Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model describes an individual who has no intention to change behavior within the next 6 months?