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2: Theories of Physical Activity Motivation

  • Page ID
    111987
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    This chapter describes four types of behavior theories and presents discrete examples of each type of theory as applied to physical activity. Social cognitive theories assume that we are motivated to behave based on intentions, and that intentions are based on our expectancies and values about the behavior. Social cognitive theories presented within are the health action process approach and temporal self-regulation theory, which consider not only the determinants of intentions, but also factors that influence whether intentions are likely to translate into physical activity. Humanistic theories, such as self-determination theory, share the notion that humans have a common drive to pursue fulfillment. Self-determination theory proposes that we have a set of basic psychological needs that, when met, lead to internal reward. Dual-process theories describe two different influences on behavior:reflective processes that are slow, reasoned, and deliberate; and automatic processes that are spontaneous, sometimes irrational, and uncontrollable. The two dual-process theories described here, hedonic motivation theory and theory of effort minimization in physical activity, describe the outcomes of competition between automatic processes (e.g.,a dread of physical activity), and reasoned processes (e.g., a desire to be more physically active). Maintenance theories consider why we are physically active, as well as how continuing physical activity regularly in the same context can lead to habit formation. This chapter provides a snapshot of physical activity motivation theories which are continually changing over time to account for new scientific findings as well as innovations in measurement and analytics.


    This page titled 2: Theories of Physical Activity Motivation is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amanda L. Rebar (Society for Transparency, Openness, and Replication in Kinesiology) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.