Final answer:
In the pre contemplation stage of behavior change, individuals are not considering change, often due to a lack of awareness or underestimating the consequences. It involves minimal critical thinking about the problem as most actions are habitual and not yet subject to deliberate contemplation. The stage prior to recognizing the need for change is crucial in the sequence of deliberate, reflective thought required for personal development.
Step-by-step explanation:
What happens in the pre contemplation stage? In the context of change and personal development, the pre contemplation stage is the first stage of the Transtheoretical Model of Change, also known as the Stages of Change model. It is a period where the individual is not yet consciously thinking about making a change; there is no intention to take action in the immediate future, often because the person is unaware of the need to change or is underestimating the consequences of their current behavior. This stage aligns with the concept of deliberation as outlined by Taylor, where an individual can't deliberate about changing a behavior if they don't recognize it's up to them to make a change, nor can they deliberate on past or present actions, only future ones.
During the pre contemplation stage, critical thinking about the problem is minimal. Instead, habitual activities and unconscious thought processes dominate behavior. People in this phase may deflect, ignore, or rationalize their behaviors, not yet ready to acknowledge that change may be beneficial or necessary. It's only after progressing past this stage that individuals begin to engage in more critical thinking regarding their behavior and the potential need to alter it.