Final answer:
Behavior change can be mediated by internal factors like cognition and attitudes, as well as external factors such as social influence and environmental cues. Health programs use a mix of these mediators to foster sustainable healthful behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two major categories of potential mediators of healthful action or behavior change are internal factors, like cognition and attitudes, and external factors, such as social influence and environmental cues. Internal factors include the psychological processes like motivation, beliefs, and cognitive dissonance, where a person experiences tension or discomfort from holding contradictory beliefs or attitudes. To resolve this, an individual might change their behavior or attitude, or rationalize their actions. External factors encompass the social and environmental pressures that can lead to behavior change, such as conformity to social norms, advertising, or the influence of authority figures. Programs aimed at promoting healthy behavior often use a combination of these approaches to encourage lasting change, taking into account the different roles and influences within a community.