Prochaska's Six Stage Model of Behaviour Change

• :) positive

  > takes a positive view of relapse - does not view it as a failure, but as an inevitable part of the dynamic, un-linear process of behaviour change

  > takes relapse seriously and does not underestimate its potential to affect an addict's course of recovery

  > six stage model is more acceptable because of its positive outlook on relapse
• :( stages are not well differentiated

  > Pa Kraft argue that the six stages can be reduced to two - precontemplation and all the others grouped together (the person is thinking about change in all stages after the first)

  > important implications as each stage is matched with a specific intervention

  > limits Prochaska's usefulness as a model of behaviour change and for treatment recommendations
• :( self-report methods

  > much of the research into the six stage model is based on self-report methods = social desirability bias

  > model is based on changes in thinking when giving up an addiction - could have lied about how logical their thought processes were to present themselves in best possible light

  > reduces internal validity