During which stage do individuals actively think about making a change?

The correct answer is indeed contemplation. During the contemplation stage, individuals actively think about making a change and are aware of the benefits of doing so. This stage involves recognizing the need for change and weighing the pros and cons, leading to the intention to take action in the future. People in this stage may plan for change but have not yet committed to it, indicating an internal deliberation about their current situation and the potential steps they can take towards improvement.

Precontemplation refers to a stage where individuals are not yet considering change, often unaware of the need for it. In the action stage, individuals are actively making changes, employing strategies, and engaging in new behaviors. The termination stage, while important, describes when a person has successfully adopted a new behavior and is no longer at risk of relapse, indicating a state beyond contemplation or action. Understanding these stages helps in effectively supporting individuals through their behavior change process.