Which of the following is NOT one of the stages of change?

The correct choice is Evaluation because it is not recognized as one of the stages in the widely used Transtheoretical Model of Change (also known as the Stages of Change model). This model consists of five key stages that individuals typically go through when making a behavior change: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance.

Each stage represents a different level of readiness to change behavior. In the Preparation stage, individuals are intending to take action and may start planning or making small changes to facilitate the transition to the Action stage, where they implement their change strategy. The Maintenance stage involves sustaining the behavior change over time and preventing relapse.

While evaluation of one’s progress may occur at any point during the change process, it is not classified as one of the official stages within the model. Thus, the absence of Evaluation as a defined stage highlights its position outside of the structured stages of change framework.