A gradual process through which an individual adopts the behavioral norms, attitudes and beliefs of a culture other than his own Closely following or sticking to a plan or protocol

1. Acculturation

A gradual process through which an individual adopts the behavioral norms, attitudes and beliefs of a culture other than his own

2. Adherence

Closely following or sticking to a plan or protocol. In the context of health promotion, we use the term adherence to refer to individuals taking their medications as prescribed (i.e. adherence to antiretroviral therapy) or following program protocols (i.e. sticking to a diet and exercise plan). In the context of health promotion, adherence can also refer to following the implementation protocol when delivering a health promotion program, conducting interviews, etc.

3. Asset mapping

A component of community capacity assessment and community development that involves conducting an inventory of individual, group and community resources, often physically designating them on a geographical map. A capacity assessment offers an alternative to a needs-based approach to community health and "is a measure of actual and potential individual, group and community resources that can be inherent and/or brought to bear for health maintenance and enhancement." 25 Once assets are "mapped," efforts are directed at mobilizing, strengthening and supplementing them while working to achieve a common vision.

4. Behavioral capability

An individual's knowledge and skills related to a specific health behavior. In order for an individual to engage in a particular behavior, that individual must first know what the behavior is and how to successfully perform it. Behavioral capability is a key construct of the Social Cognitive Theory.

5. Behavioral factors

The patterns of behavior of individuals and groups that protect or put them at risk for a given health or social problem

6. Behavioral intention

Mental state in which the individual expects to take a specified action at some time in the future

7. Behavioral objective

Statement of desired outcome that indicates who is to demonstrate how much of what action by when ."

8. Behavioral risk

Typically modifiable behavior, like smoking or lack of physical activity, which puts an individual at risk for a negative health outcome

9. Best practices

Recommendations for an intervention, based on a critical review of multiple research and evaluation studies that substantiate the efficacy of the intervention in the populations and circumstances in which the studies were done, if not its effectiveness in other populations and situations where it might be implemented

10. Change agent

In the context of Diffusion of Innovations, a change agent is "an individual who influences clients' innovation-decisions in a direction deemed desirable by a change agency." The change agent's functions are often to develop a perceived need for change, facilitate information-exchange, identify a client's problems, develop a client's intentions to change, motivate the movement from intentions to action, support long-term adoption of the change, and help the client achieve self-reliance.