What phrase best defines 'capability' in the context of behavior change?

• A. Skills, abilities, or proficiencies acquired through practice that enable behavior
• B. External factors that enable and encourage behavior
• C. Internal drive to perform a behavior
• D. Social and cultural influences on behavior

Answer: (A)

Capability in behavior change is about what a person is able to do—the skills, abilities, and proficiencies developed through learning and practice that enable a particular behavior. It covers both physical skills and the cognitive know-how needed to perform the action. In behavior-change frameworks like COM-B, capability sits alongside opportunity and motivation, and without it the behavior can’t occur even if there’s drive and an enabling environment. The best description is the one that emphasizes skills and abilities gained through practice because that directly defines the actual ability to perform the behavior. The other descriptions point to external enablement, internal drive, or broader social influences, which relate to opportunity or motivation rather than the ability to act.