The Life by Natural Causes Program 5As Learning Framework
The Life by Natural Causes (LBNC) 5As learning framework is grounded in decades of cross-disciplinary research. It synthesizes the essential psychological and educational principles essential for supporting meaningful, sustained health behavior change.
Each step corresponds to a stage in how people typically progress from learning new information to making lasting behavior change—a model assembling components supported by peer-reviewed research and widely applied in healthcare, education, and wellness coaching.
1. Awareness
The first step in virtually all behavior change models is Awareness. According to the Transtheoretical Model of Change, individuals must first recognize that a problem exists before they can begin to change. Health promotion strategies, such as those outlined by the CDC, begin with raising awareness to empower informed decisions.
📚 Reference: Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390–395.
https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/priorities/index.html
2. Acceptance
Acceptance bridges the gap between knowledge and readiness. It aligns with the “contemplation” and “preparation” stages in behavior change models, when individuals begin to internalize their need for change and emotionally commit to it. Research in motivational interviewing also emphasizes acceptance as a prerequisite for progress.
📚 Reference: Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
3. Application
Application refers to the active implementation of new knowledge—akin to the “action” stage in change models. In experiential learning theory (Kolb, 1984), applying knowledge through action is a critical step in turning insight into skill.
📚 Reference: Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice Hall.
4. Adoption
Adoption implies that the behavior becomes more consistent, gradually integrated into daily life. This echoes the concept of behavioral reinforcement from Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, where repetition and observed benefits encourage persistence.
📚 Reference: Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
5. Assimilation
Assimilation is the final stage—when new behaviors are normalized, automated, and woven into a person’s identity or lifestyle. This aligns with the “maintenance” phase in the Transtheoretical Model and the long-term habit formation literature, which finds that sustained behaviors eventually require less cognitive effort.
📚 Reference: Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998–1009.
By organizing the Life by Natural Causes learning system around these five progressive steps, users gain a clear, memorable, effective knowledge-to-bahavior-change experience that makes lasting change possible.
Truth, Clarity, & the Fine Print
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Life by Natural Causes (LBNC) is a Knowledge-to-Health Outcomes Learning System designed to engage users in behavior changes that will result in positive health outcomes, all under the guidance of their own health team. LBNC, currently in Beta development, has a launch target of 4QCY25.
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