Publication Date

5-2009

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Steven Wininger (Director),Dr. Betsy Shoenfelt,Dr. Tony Paquin

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Industrial Organizational Psychology

Abstract

The current study examined the influence of social cognitive variables on physical activity and proposed an intervention for an 8-week physical activity promotion program. Four specific components were examined: implementation intentions, goal commitment, barrier self-efficacy, and value. Participants included faculty and staff enrolled in a university Employee Wellness Program. Participants in the treatment group received goal-setting prompts focused on developing implementation intentions, identifying the value of outcome expectancies, and overcoming self-efficacy barriers. Participants in the control group did not receive goal-setting prompts. The use of goal-setting prompts did not result in significantly more minutes spent exercising. Overall, participants who received goal-setting prompts maintained their engagement in physical activity throughout the program, while participants in the control group steadily declined after week 5. For the treatment group, physical activity was dropping after the first week, but after receiving implementation-intentions prompts, physical activity increased. The use of implementation intentions should be further investigated. Additionally, the use of administering prompts throughout the complete program should be examined.

Disciplines

Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Psychology

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