Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
06:13
Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Acute Effects of Strength Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Adults
Published on: December 1, 2023
Predicting automaticity in exercise behaviour: the role of perceived behavioural control, affect, intention, action
Gert-Jan de Bruijn1, Benjamin Gardner, Liesbeth van Osch
1Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Kloveniersburgwal 48, 1012 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, g.j.debruijn@uva.nl.
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|September 21, 2013
Summary
Physical automaticity, crucial for habit formation, is influenced by perceived behavioural control (PBC), affect, and planning, not just past behavior. These social-cognitive factors predict exercise automaticity.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Psychology
- Health Behavior
Background:
- Habit formation is key for sustained behavior change.
- Past research suggests factors beyond repetition influence physical automaticity.
- The role of intention, planning, affect, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on automaticity remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct impacts of intention, planning, affect, and PBC on exercise automaticity.
- To examine main and interaction effects of these social-cognitive constructs on automaticity.
- To determine predictors of physical automaticity beyond repeated performance.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study over 2 weeks with 406 undergraduate students.
- Investigated past exercise behavior, PBC, intention, planning, and affect.
- Analyzed main and interaction effects on exercise automaticity.
Main Results:
- Perceived behavioral control (PBC), affect, and planning significantly predicted exercise automaticity, controlling for past behavior.
- A significant interaction between PBC and planning was found.
- Planning's predictive power for automaticity decreased at higher levels of PBC.
Conclusions:
- Exercise automaticity is predicted by both repeated behavior and social-cognitive factors.
- Interactions among social-cognitive predictors may uniquely influence behavioral automaticity compared to frequency.
- Understanding these predictors can inform interventions for habit formation.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...
01:25Self-Regulation
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be interpreted as...
01:20Decision Making
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I
Stress prevention and management are crucial for maintaining well-being and building resilience. Techniques to manage stress include cultivating qualities like conscientiousness, a sense of personal control, and self-efficacy. Each of these traits significantly reduces stress and promotes healthier lifestyle choices and outcomes.
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...