Psychology of Behavior Change Vocabulary

Key vocabulary terms and definitions covering Chapter 2: Psychology of Behavior Change.

Behavior

An action that can be observed, measured, and modified.

Target Behavior

The specific behavior you want the client to change.

Transtheoretical Model (TTM)

A behavior change model focused on four interconnected areas: stages of change, processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance.

Pre-contemplation Stage

The stage of change where an individual is not ready to change and does not see change as necessary or worthwhile within the next 6 months (cue: "I won't.").

Contemplation Stage

The stage of change where an individual is thinking about changing within the next 6 months (cue: "I may.").

Preparation Stage

The stage of change where an individual is planning or committed to change soon, within 30 days (cue: "I will.").

Action Stage

The stage of change where an individual is actively changing behavior for less than 6 months (cue: "I'm doing it.").

Maintenance Stage

The stage of change where an individual has maintained a new behavior for more than 6 months (cue: "I've been doing it.").

Self-Efficacy

A person's belief or certainty that they can accomplish a particular task.

Decisional Balance

A construct in the TTM where a client weighs the perceived benefits versus the costs of making a behavior change.

Experiential Processes of Change

Five processes of change involving thinking and feeling (consciousness-raising, dramatic relief, self-reevaluation, environmental reevaluation, social liberation) that influence behavior indirectly.

Behavioral Processes of Change

Five processes of change involving doing and acting (self-liberation, helping relationships, counterconditioning, reinforcement management, stimulus control) that influence behavior directly.

Motivation

The reason or reasons someone has for behaving in a certain way, consisting of direction and intensity.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by internal or personal rewards, such as personal enjoyment of the activity.

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by external factors such as money, praise, recognition, or rewards.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

A theory stating that people are motivated by three basic psychological needs: Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness.

Autonomy (SDT)

The basic psychological need to feel in control over one's own choices.

Competence (SDT)

The basic psychological need to feel capable of completing a task.

Relatedness (SDT)

The basic psychological need to feel connected to other people.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

A collaborative, client-focused method of guiding a client toward revealing their own self-identified motivation for change.

OARS

A major Motivational Interviewing communication tool standing for Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summarizing.

Elicit-Provide-Elicit

A method for sharing information in Motivational Interviewing where the trainer finds out what the client knows, provides information, and asks for the client's reaction.

Process Goal

A goal that focuses on the specific action or process performed (e.g., "Exercise for 30 minutes per day").

Outcome Goal

A goal that focuses on the desired end result (e.g., "Lose 15 pounds").

SMART Goals

Goal-setting criteria standing for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Implementation Intentions

Specific plans formatted as WHEN → THEN statements that use situational cues to make desired behaviors easier to execute.

Monitoring

Observing and taking notice of routine behaviors that affect goal progress, such as keeping an exercise log or using a fitness tracker.