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The Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation (the "Common-Sense Model", CSM) is a widely used theoretical framework that explicates the processes by which patients become aware of a health threat, navigate affective responses to the threat, formulate perceptions of the threat and potential treatment actions, create action plans for addressing the threat, and integrate continuous feedback on action plan efficacy and threat-progression. A description of key aspects of the CSM's history-over 50 years of research and theoretical development-makes clear the model's dynamic underpinnings, characteristics, and assumptions. The current article provides this historical narrative and uses that narrative to highlight dynamic aspects of the model that are often not evaluated or utilized in contemporary CSM-based research. We provide suggestions for research advances that can more fully utilize these dynamic aspects of the CSM and have the potential to further advance the CSM's contribution to medical practice and patients' self-management of illness.

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The study dealt with the effects of (a) level of fear and (b) specific plans for action vs. general recommendations on attitudes toward tetanus inoculations and actually getting tetanus shots. The arousal of fear resulted in more favorable attitudes toward inoculation and the expression of stronger intentions to get shots. However, actually getting shots occurred significantly more often for Ss receiving a specific plan for action. Although action was unaffected by fear level some level of arousal was necessary for action to occur. A specific plan was not sufficient for action to appear. Although the 2 dependent measures were affected by different independent variables, those people getting shots were also more favorable toward doing so. The results are compared with other studies on fear arousal and actions, and speculations were presented on the role of specific action plans in the translation of attitudes into actions.

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Longitudinal data from 851 elderly residents of a retirement community (mean age = 73 years) were used to examine the correlates of self-assessments of health (SAH) and the predictors of changes in SAH over several follow-up periods ranging from 1 to 5 years. The authors hypothesized that indicators of positive health, including feelings of energy and positive mood, social support, and active functioning, are as important in determining current and future SAH as negative indicators such as disease history, disability, medication, and negative mood. Results of cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses showed that functional ability, medication use, and negative affect were salient to people judging their health, but positive indicators of activity and mood had an even stronger, independent effect. These findings show the importance of attending to the full illness-wellness continuum in studying people's perceptions of health.