The Four-Room Apartment model, developed by Claes Janssen, provides a clear framework for understanding how people respond to change. It illustrates the stages individuals experience during the change process:

Contentment: This stage reflects a preference for the status quo, where individuals feel comfortable and satisfied with their current situation.

Denial: Here, people may resist acknowledging that change has occurred. They invest significant energy in clinging to the past. In cases of traumatic or significant change, individuals might spend less time in denial, as the reality becomes undeniable.

Confusion: During this stage, individuals may feel anxious but are also beginning to accept the change. They become more open to taking constructive action.

Renewal: In this phase, individuals harness their energy for creative work and innovation. After this productive period, they often return to a state of contentment until the next change arises.

This model helps individuals recognize where they and others are in the change process, promoting understanding and facilitating smoother transitions.