Which option is not a stage in the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change?

• A. Precontemplation
• B. Contemplation
• C. Planning
• D. Action

Answer: (C)

Understanding the stages of change in this model is about how someone moves from not thinking about changing a behavior to sustaining that change. The recognized stages are Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance (with some versions adding Termination). Planning is not a separate stage in this framework; it belongs to Preparation, where a person becomes ready, makes a concrete plan, and sets goals to take action. So the option named Planning isn’t a formal stage. The other options do represent actual stages: Precontemplation describes not yet considering change, Contemplation is weighing it, and Action is actively making the change.