Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of Behavior Change and the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)
Compare and contrast the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change and the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) in terms of their key principles, underlying assumptions, and practical applications for promoting behavior change. How do these theories differ in their approaches to understanding and facilitating behavior change, and what are their respective strengths and limitations?
Requirements: 3-4 pages, 10 different peer-reviewed references
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Introduction
Social and behavioral theories provide sociologists and psychologists with the philosophical and logical foundation to develop strategies for improving behavioral changes. One prominent theory is the trans-theoretical (TTM) or stages of change model that Prochaska and DiClemente developed in the late 1970s. This model focuses on inducing behavioral changes in individuals using strategies to influence a person's decision-making (Velicer et al. 1998). A different approach to social and behavioral change is social cognitive theory (SCT), developed by Albert Bandura, and the key disparity between the two theories is that social cognitive theory considers the social and environmental context, not the individual decision-making, as the key factors behind behavioral change (Luszczynska & Schwarzer, 2015). Essentially, both approaches to behavioral change follow different philosophies and principles; for the same reason, they differ in practical application. The following discussion aims to understand these differences using the parameters of key principles or underlying assumptions, practical implementation, and strengths and weaknesses of the two theories.
TTM and SCT: Evaluation of the Key Principles
TTM is based on the principle of cognitive development and its link with the behavioral change initiated by a person's self-will; therefore, its main focus is to improve a person's decision-making ability to help them develop better and positive behavior required for the promotion of their health (Ruggiero et al., 2000). In other words, this theory does not consider immediate behavior change a possibility while applying behavioral strategies to a person; instead, it is based on the assumption that any change in a person's habitual behavior occurs gradually and slowly (Prochaska et al., 2008). Hence, TTM's fundamental principle is inducing behavioral changes through strategies to change a person's behavioral cycle. TTM identifies various stages of behavior change in an individual by using different strategies to influence a person's decision-making skills. These stages range from the pre-contemplation stage, characterized by a person's