CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct answer is based on the concept of Behavioral Capability within Social Cognitive Theory, which emphasizes that individuals must possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effect behavior change. Behavioral Capability encompasses understanding the steps required to perform a behavior and having the necessary skills to carry out those steps effectively. This aspect of the theory underlines that simply wanting to change behavior is not enough; individuals must also be equipped with the information and competencies to make that change happen.

In contrast, Expectations refer to the anticipated outcomes of a behavior, which influence a person's motivation to engage in that behavior but do not directly provide the skills required for action. Self-Control involves the ability to regulate one’s own behavior and emotions, while Emotional Coping Responses deal with strategies for managing emotional reactions to situations. Although these concepts are important within the broader framework of Social Cognitive Theory, they do not specifically address the requirement for the essential knowledge and skills imperative for implementing behavior change.