Final answer:
The action stage in personal and social change involves a commitment to modify behaviors and thinking, influencing others, and often requiring support. In social movements, it is similar to the coalescence stage where collective action and awareness occur.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage of change when a person actively engages in taking action toward behavior change and often requires support is known as the action stage. This pivotal phase involves a commitment on the individual's part to change their thinking and behaviors, signifying a personal investment in growth and change. Successful change at the action stage can influence others, creating a ripple effect that might lead to wider social change. Examples of such personal changes include adopting new habits to support a friend's identity, changing one's major, or becoming fluent in a new language.
At the social movement level, the action stage corresponds to the coalescence stage, where the collective action is organized, and public awareness is raised. Whether it's someone involved in social media to advocate for a cause, taking part in a movement like alternative movements for self-improvement, or engaging in resistance movements, the action begins with the individual's decision to make a difference. Sociologists like Blumer and Tilly have studied this lifecycle in social movements, detailing stages from preliminary awareness to coalescence, institutionalization, and eventual decline.