Which of the following is NOT one of the six stages in adopting a new behavior?

• A. Habit
• B. Action
• C. Involvement
• D. Motivation

Answer: (D)

When people adopt a new behavior, they move through defined phases that describe where they are in making the change, from initial consideration to actually doing it and keeping it up. Motivation plays a crucial role as the inner drive that pushes someone to progress, but it isn’t itself a separate phase in that progression. Think of motivation as the fuel that helps a person move from one stage to the next, rather than a distinct step they pass through.

That’s why motivation is the best answer to what is NOT the six-stage progression: the stages represent concrete positions in the change process (like taking action, staying involved with the new behavior, and eventually forming a habit through sustained practice). Motivation, while essential, is a driving factor rather than a stage you step through.