Social Cognitive Theory views learning as a social process influenced by interactions with other people. In Social Cognitive Theory physical and social environments are influential in reinforcing and shaping the beliefs that determine behavior. AIDS Risk Reduction Model suggests that in order to change behavior one must first label the behavior as risky, then make a commitment to reduce the behavior, and finally to take action to perform the desired change. Diffusion of Innovation helps understand how new ideas or behaviors are introduced and become accepted by a community. People in the same community adopt new behaviors at different rates and respond to different methods of intervention.
Different stages exist in the same population.
People do not necessarily pass through stages sequentially and may repeat stages. Harm Reduction accepts that while harmful behaviors exist, the main goal is to reduce their negative effects. Paulo Freire's ideas on Popular Education are based on the belief that teachers and students have different strengths, and should learn reciprocally from each other. Just as people draw from a variety of influences for their actions, programs can be designed or modified using relevant parts of different theories. A five-hour session included discussion, games, role playing, videos, and other activities.