Key Constructs

Key Constructs of the Precaution Adoption Process Model

The PAPM identifies seven stages along the path from lack of awareness to action.

  1. Unaware of Issue: If people have never heard of a hazard or its potential precaution, they cannot have formed opinions about it.
  2. Unengaged by Issue: People have learned about the precaution behavior but haven't considered whether they need to do anything about it.
  3. Undecided about Acting: The decision-making stage, where people have become engaged and are considering their response.
  4. Decided not to Act: Halting the precaution adoption process
  5. Decided to Act: Adopting a precaution
  6. Acting: Initiating the behavior
  7. Maintenance: Maintaining the behavior over time