In the stage paradigm of change, which statement is most accurate?

• A. No individuals are ready for change.
• B. All individuals are ready to change.
• C. The minority of individuals are not ready for change.
• D. The majority of individuals are not ready to change.

Answer: (D)

In the stage paradigm for change, behavior change happens gradually as people move through stages, and most individuals are not yet ready to take action. Many are in the early stages—precontemplation or contemplation—where they haven’t committed to change. A smaller group is in preparation or already acting, and even fewer have reached maintenance. So saying that the majority are not ready to change fits the typical distribution across stages. The other statements overreach or misstate this variability: no one is ready, everyone is ready, or only a small minority not ready would contradict the idea that people exist at different points along the change continuum.