Which of the following lists the five stages of change in the correct order?

• A. Pre-Contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance
• B. Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance
• C. Pre-Contemplation, Contemplation, Plan, Action, Maintenance
• D. Pre-Contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Adherence

Answer: (A)

The question tests the order of stages in the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change. The sequence should flow from not yet considering change to maintaining the change over time: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance. This order captures how a person progresses from awareness to planning, then taking action, and finally sustaining the new behavior. Each stage implies different focus and support: raise awareness in precontemplation, weigh pros and cons in contemplation, make concrete plans in preparation, implement the change in action, and develop strategies to prevent relapse in maintenance. The other options introduce nonstandard terms (like Plan or Adherence) or use a slightly different first-stage spelling, which do not align with the established five-stage progression.