Are there really five stages? What about the evidence that there might be only three?
The original research from the qualitative literature suggested that there were five stages. Thus far, however, some quantitative research indicates that empirically there may be three factors/clusters of experience rather than five. At the time of writing it is premature to abandon five stages when measurement continues to be developed.
That is, is the model flawed or is the measurement? Interestingly, similar to the TTM, whether there are five stages is a different question to whether it is useful to work with people in terms of five stages. There is a significant amount of evidence that the five stage TTM has been useful in assisting people change their behaviour, yet there is varied evidence as to whether there are five stages. There is much more work to be done until there is a conclusive answer to this question.
The original research from the qualitative literature suggested that there were five stages. Thus far, however, some quantitative research indicates that empirically there may be three factors/clusters of experience rather than five. At the time of writing it is premature to abandon five stages when measurement continues to be developed.
That is, is the model flawed or is the measurement? Interestingly, similar to the TTM, whether there are five stages is a different question to whether it is useful to work with people in terms of five stages. There is a significant amount of evidence that the five stage TTM has been useful in assisting people change their behaviour, yet there is varied evidence as to whether there are five stages. There is much more work to be done until there is a conclusive answer to this question.
