During which stage of behavior change are individuals more likely to weigh their options?

Individuals are more likely to weigh their options during the contemplation stage of behavior change. In this stage, people are becoming aware of the need to change and are actively considering the pros and cons of making a change in their behavior. They may think about the benefits of changing versus the challenges they might face, reflecting on their current behaviors and the potential impact of alternative choices.

This introspective process is essential for developing motivation and readiness to move towards making a commitment to change, which is more characteristic of the preparation stage. In contrast, during the action stage, individuals are already taking proactive steps to change their behavior, and in the maintenance stage, they focus on sustaining changes and preventing relapse, leaving little room for weighing options actively.