Health Behavior Theories and Cognitive Behavioral Techniques

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering continuum and stage theories, health behavior models, learning theories, and CBT techniques.

Continuum theories

Theories that identify and combine a set of variables to determine and predict the likelihood of an individual engaging in a specific behavior.

Stage theories

Theories that view behavior change as gradual and focus on the overall process or stage of change rather than individual components.

Health Belief Model

A continuum theory developed to explain the likelihood of prevention and health-promoting behaviors, determined by 6 individual or combined factors.

Perceived susceptibility

The perceived risk of contracting an illness if no behavior change occurs ('How likely am I to contract it?').

Perceived severity

The perceived seriousness of an illness an individual is at risk of contracting ('If I got it, how bad would it be?').

Perceived benefits

The perceived benefits of behavior change, including how effectively the change reduces risk or severity ('How would changing my behavior reduce my risk/severity of contracting the illness?').

Perceived barriers

Perceived or real obstacles that make behavior change difficult.

Cues to Action

Internal or external reminders that prompt an individual to feel the need to take action.

Self-Efficacy

An individual's perceived ability or confidence to perform a specific action.

Theory of Reasoned Action

A continuum theory that views behavioral intentions as the primary predictor of behavior, determined by two antecedents: attitudes and subjective norms.

Attitudes

Positive or negative feelings regarding a specific behavior.

Subjective norms

An individual's belief about whether people who are important to them would support their behavior.

Theory of Planned Behavior

Developed in 1991 as an extension of the Theory of Reasoned Action; views behavioral intention as the key predictor of behavior, determined by attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral control.

Classical conditioning

A learning process where an association is created between two stimuli such that a neutral stimulus comes to evoke the same response as the stimulus with which it was paired.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process based on associating behaviors with particular consequences, incorporating positive and negative reinforcement and punishment.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a reward following a behavior to increase the occurrence of that behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus following a behavior to increase the occurrence of that behavior.

Positive Punishment

Presenting an aversive stimulus following a behavior to decrease the occurrence of that behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a stimulus following a behavior to decrease the occurrence of that behavior.

Social Learning Theory

A theory proposing that people learn attitudes about a behavior by observing other people and witnessing the outcomes others experience.

Modeling

Occurs when individuals perform behaviors that serve as direct or symbolic examples to others.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

An approach to behavior change that focuses on modifying cognitions, behavior, and affect.

Self-monitoring

A cognitive CBT strategy where an individual assesses the frequency of a target behavior and monitors its antecedents and consequences.

Cognitive Restructuring (Reframing)

A cognitive CBT strategy involving the replacement of negative thoughts with positive ones.

Stimulus Control

A behavioral CBT strategy that involves removing stimuli that increase engagement in a target behavior.

Self-Reinforcement

A behavioral CBT strategy involving rewarding oneself for successfully modifying a behavior.

Relaxation training

An affective CBT strategy aimed at reducing stress through relaxation techniques (e.g., deep breathing) to replace a target behavior.

Transtheoretical Model

A stage theory describing behavior change as a gradual, non-linear process progressing through 6 stages.

Precontemplation

Stage One of the Transtheoretical Model, characterized by having no plans to change behavior.

Contemplation

Stage Two of the Transtheoretical Model, characterized by considering behavior change.

Preparation

Stage Three of the Transtheoretical Model, where an individual intends to make a behavior change within the next 30 days.

Action

Stage Four of the Transtheoretical Model, characterized by having recently made a behavior change ($< 6\text{ months}$).

Maintenance

Stage Five of the Transtheoretical Model, involving maintaining behavior change and working to prevent relapse.

Termination

Stage Six of the Transtheoretical Model, which is uncommon and defined by having no risk of relapse.

Decisional Balance

A process of change in the Transtheoretical Model involving weighing the advantages and disadvantages of changing behavior.

Experimental processes of change

Processes in the Transtheoretical Model that focus on changing emotions, cognitions, and personal experience.

Behavioral processes of change

Action-based processes in the Transtheoretical Model that involve re-examining behavior and the environment.