Toward a Model of Exercise Motivation

1989 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Dzewaltowski

This study compared the ability of Bandura's social cognitive theory and Fish-bein and Ajzen's theory of reasoned action to predict exercise behavior. The theories' constructs were assessed and then the exercise behaviors of 328 individuals were recorded for the following 7 weeks. A path analysis indicated that the theory of reasoned action model fit the data, but explained only 5 % of the exercise behavior variance. Two social cognitive theory variables, self-efficacy and self-evaluated dissatisfaction, significantly predicted exercise behavior. Also, a multiplicative function of self-evaluated dissatisfaction and outcome expectations increased the amount of predicted exercise behavior variance to 16%. Thus, individuals who were confident they could adhere to an exercise program and were satisfied with their standing on probable outcomes from participation (e.g., present body weight) exercised more days per week. A commonality analysis indicated that the theory of reasoned action did not account for any unique variance in exercise behavior over the social cognitive theory constructs. In sum, social cognitive theory was more effective than the theory of reasoned action in predicting exercise behavior.

Author(s):  
Dale H. Schunk ◽  
Ellen L. Usher

Social cognitive theory is a theory of human behavior that emphasizes learning from the social environment. This chapter focuses on Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which postulates reciprocal interactions among personal, behavioral, and social/environmental factors. Persons use various vicarious, symbolic, and self-regulatory processes as they strive to develop a sense of agency in their lives. Key motivational processes are goals and self-evaluations of progress, outcome expectations, values, social comparisons, and self-efficacy. People set goals and evaluate their goal progress. The perception of progress sustains self-efficacy and motivation. Individuals act in accordance with their values and strive for outcomes they desire. Social comparisons with others provide further information on their learning and goal attainment. Self-efficacy is a critical influence on motivation and affects task choices, effort, persistence, and achievement. Recommendations are made for future research.


Author(s):  
Dale H. Schunk ◽  
Ellen L. Usher

Social cognitive theory is a theory of psychological functioning that emphasizes learning from the social environment. This chapter focuses on Bandura's social cognitive theory, which postulates reciprocal interactions among personal, behavioral, and social/environmental factors. Persons use various vicarious, symbolic, and self-regulatory processes as they strive to develop a sense of agency in their lives. Key motivational processes are goals and self-evaluations of progress, outcome expectations, values, social comparisons, and self-efficacy. People set goals and evaluate their goal progress. The perception of progress sustains self-efficacy and motivation. Individuals act in accordance with their values and strive for outcomes they desire. Social comparisons with others provide further information on their learning and goal attainment. Self-efficacy is an especially critical influence on motivation and affects task choices, effort, persistence, and achievement. Suggestions are given for future research directions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Dennis ◽  
Kerry L. Potter ◽  
Paul A. Estabrooks ◽  
Brenda M. Davy

The college transition represents a critical period for maintaining a healthy weight, yet intervention participation and retention represent significant challenges. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and acceptability of two interventions to prevent freshman weight gain. One intervention provided opportunities to improve outcome expectations and self-efficacy within a social cognitive theory framework (SCT), while the other targeted the same variables but focused on explicit training in self-regulation skills (SCTSR).Methods.Freshmen (n=45) aged >18 years were randomized to a 14-week intervention, SCT or SCTSR; both included online modules and in-class meetings. Of the 45 students randomized, 5 withdrew before the classes began and 39 completed pre- and posttesting. Primary outcomes included body weight/composition, health behaviors, and program acceptability. Analyses included independent samplet-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and bivariate correlational analyses.Results.Body weight increased over the 14-week period, but there was no group difference. Percent body fat increased in SCTSR but not SCT (mean difference: SCTSR, +1.63 ± 0.52%; SCT, −0.25 ± 0.45%;P=0.01). Class attendance was 100% (SCTSR) and 98% (SCT); SCTSR students (>50%) remarked that the online tracking required “too much time.”Conclusions.The intervention was well received, although there were no improvements in weight outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-282
Author(s):  
Stephanie L Silveira ◽  
Emma V Richardson ◽  
Robert W Motl

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated neurodegenerative disease of the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. Among persons with MS, 30% experience significant mobility impairment that requires use of a wheelchair for mobility. Exercise is an evidence-based second-line therapy that can improve mobility; however, little research has focused on individuals that use wheelchairs for mobility. Framed by social cognitive theory (SCT), we conducted a formative qualitative study examining exercise status and perceptions among 20 persons with MS who use wheelchairs for mobility. Using deductive, semantic thematic analysis, we coded for SCT variables (i.e. self-efficacy, knowledge, outcome expectations, barriers and facilitators) and identified participants as regular or inconsistent exercisers. In total, 12 participants were classified as regular exercisers and 8 inconsistent exercisers. Regular exercisers more frequently reported high self-efficacy, consistent exercise knowledge and numerous facilitators. All participants reported some positive outcome expectations and several barriers and facilitators. These findings can inform future intervention studies supporting exercise behavior change through SCT. Strategies such as increasing self-efficacy, imparting instructional materials, shaping realistic outcome expectations and providing tools directed toward overcoming barriers and identifying facilitators may work to support the exercise endeavor of persons with MS who use wheelchairs for mobility.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Yen ◽  
Hui-Mei Hsu ◽  
I-Chiu Chang

BACKGROUND Many studies concluded that sharing medical information and giving advices are both important motivation for physicians to blog. However, most articles available in this subject field only describe the blog phenomena without providing a theoretical background and an empirical analysis of the phenomena. OBJECTIVE Since many studies were conducted to investigate the reasons why Physicians blog without a theoretical framework for a rigorous discussion. This study based on social cognitive theory (SCT) to explore the factors influencing physicians’ intention of continuously blogging. METHODS Eight Hundreds and seventy seven physicians’ bloggers were invited to participate an online survey and 128 valid responses returned. The SCT is proved to be useful in explaining 36.8 % of the variation in physicians' continuous intention to blog. RESULTS This study based on social cognitive theory (SCT) to explore the factors influencing physicians’ intention of continuously blogging by adding negative outcome expectations that most IS studies excluded. Further, the results of this study can remedy the insufficient knowledge and make a significant contribution to the IS literature. CONCLUSIONS Helping others is a creed for physicians, including those who seek helps from the Internet, the healing counts. Using the blog as a vehicle to educate, heal, and prevent disease is coincident with physicians’ oath. Therefore, this study strongly recommends physicians to create blogs to communicate with the public and blogging in a continuous manner. To motivate physicians to continue to blog, the platform developers can promote physicians by equipping them to have higher blog self-efficacy, a high positive performance/personal outcome expectation and lower negative outcome expectation from blogging, and also a higher satisfaction with their blogging behavior.


1990 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Dzewaltowski ◽  
John M. Noble ◽  
Jeff M. Shaw

Social cognitive theory and the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior were examined in the prediction of 4 weeks of physical activity participation. The theories of reasoned action and planned behavior were supported. Attitude and perceived control predicted intention, and intention predicted physical activity participation. The social cognitive theory variables significantly predicted physical activity participation, with self-efficacy and self-evaluation of the behavior significantly contributing to the prediction. The greater the confidence in participating in physical activity and the greater the satisfaction with present physical activity, the more physical activity performed. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that perceived control and intentions did not account for any unique variation in physical activity participation over self-efficacy. Therefore the social cognitive theory constructs were better predictors of physical activity than those from the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior.


2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Renée Umstattd ◽  
Jeffrey Hallam

Exercise is consistently related to physical and psychological health benefits in older adults. Bandura’s social-cognitive theory (SCT) is one theoretical perspective on understanding and predicting exercise behavior. Thus, the authors examined whether three SCT variables—self-efficacy, self-regulation, and outcome-expectancy value—predicted older adults’ (N= 98) exercise behavior. Bivariate analyses revealed that regular exercise was associated with being male, White, and married; having higher income, education, and self-efficacy; using self-regulation skills; and having favorable outcome-expectancy values (p< .05). In a simultaneous multivariate model, however, self-regulation (p= .0097) was the only variable independently associated with regular exercise. Thus, exercise interventions targeting older adults should include components aimed at increasing the use of self-regulation strategies.


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