Background and objectives of the study
Social influences contribute to whether and to what extent individuals engage in PA. One particular social influence that predicts PA is the comparison with others. However, the factors determining whether a comparison results in beneficial (i.e. health-promoting) or adverse outcomes remain largely undiscovered. This research tested whether the effects of PA comparisons depend on the perceived similarity to comparison standards.
Design and results
In three experimental studies, participants compared themselves to either a more or a less physically active person. As expected, perceived similarity to the comparison standard determined the outcomes: Participants’ evaluated their PA more positively and felt more efficacious to be physically active when they focused on similarities with more (vs less) active others (Study 1). The same was true for participants who focused on dissimilarities with less (vs more) active others (Study 1 and 2). Furthermore, participants’ self-evaluation, self-efficacy, and intention regarding PA improved when they considered the opposite of their initial impression that they are dissimilar to a more active or similar to a less active person (Study 3).
Implications
Paying attention to differences with inactive people and similarities with active people could encourage PA, as it may boost self-beliefs about how active one is and how active one can be. Cognitive efforts to consciously steer the focus of comparisons to similarities or differences could generate PA-promoting effects.
Contact
Chair of Sport and Health Management
Prof. Dr. Jörg Königstorfer
Secretary: Mirjam Merz
Uptown Munich Campus D
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich Germany
Phone: +49.89.289.24559
Fax: +49.89.289.24642
info.mgt@sg.tum.de