Final answer:
The paradoxical theory of behavior change posits that real change occurs through becoming aware of our actual selves, addressing any incongruence between our behaviors and self-perception, and subsequently fostering a genuine desire to change. This self-awareness leads to improved self-regulation and goal setting that better aligns with one's personal values and beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The paradoxical theory of behavior change suggests that we change through becoming aware of who we currently are, which aligns with option (d). This theory emphasizes that by gaining awareness of our actual selves, we can experience a state of incongruence that motivates us to address any maladjustment and facilitate personal growth and change. This notion is embedded in the ideas of psychologists like Carl Rogers and is opposite to more deterministic models that might focus strictly on biology or external influences. The key to change is not necessarily setting future-oriented goals or careful attention to changing behavior in the moment it is happening, but rather a profound awareness and acceptance of the current self, which can naturally lead to a desire and commitment to change.
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, both humanistic psychologists, believed in the importance of individual choice over biological determinism. They argued that when our actions do not align with our perception of ourselves, or the ideals we strive for in the form of our idealized selves, it creates a tension that can drive us to change. However, this does not downplay the role of setting goals, as the proposal of improved self-regulation also plays a part in this theory, emphasizing the change in perception of the systems one navigates and the adjustment of goals to reflect that altered understanding.