Final answer:
Consciousness-raising is most useful in the contemplation stage of behavioral change, where individuals increase their awareness of the pros of changing behavior, gathering information, and acknowledging the consequences of their current behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the stages of change within behavioral change theories such as the Transtheoretical Model, consciousness-raising is an integral part of the contemplation stage. During the contemplation stage, individuals are becoming more aware of the pros than cons of changing their behavior, but they have not yet committed to taking action. This increased awareness is crucial in helping individuals recognize the need for change and envision the benefits that change could bring. Consciousness-raising is useful here, because it involves both seeking new information and increasing awareness about the behavior and its consequences. Tools used in this process might include educational interventions, feedback, observations, confrontations, or interpretations.
As an example, in the context of smoking cessation, consciousness-raising might involve learning about the long-term health effects of smoking or recognizing how the habit affects loved ones. In the broader sense of social change, class consciousness is an example of how a societal group can become aware of its position and collective power within social structures, potentially leading to social revolution, according to Marxist theory.