People may not like to change for a variety of reasons. Among them is change offers something different. Different means less predictability and more of the unknown. Individuals may feel a loss of control with the unknown. For some, this is a very uncomfortable experience. It may be uncomfortable enough to discourage change even though it may be beneficial for them. Other factors could include: lack of confidence to change, family history, lack of problem solving skills, recent history(may lack energy to invest needed to change), motivation, and priorities.

Change may be slow or nonexistent for seem due to lack of perceived payoff. If the benefits of changing a behavior or situation, are not greater than the costs in remaining the same, a person most likely will not change. The costs and benefits are usually centered around perceptions, beliefs, and life circumstances. For instance, a adolescent may not look at losing a job to drinking as being much of a big deal. However, an adult who loses his job and has a family to support, would look at this more as more costly.

Lastly, just because one person may perceive a change as beneficial, that does not necessarily mean all people will see it the same way. A job promotion for one individual may be perceived as unattractive due to more travel, more hours, and job responsibilities she may not like. For another, the promotion could be seen as exciting and a move up the corporate ladder. The same opportunity for both, with two different perspectives.