Psychology of Motivation

What is behaviour change?

Dynamic psychological, social, and environmental processes that lead to the initiation, alteration, or cessation of behaviours over time

Why is the study of behaviour change important?

Because human behaviours are strongly linked to health outcomes

Why is physical inactivity a concern?

It creates a significant global health and economic burden

Why is physical activity considered a unique health behaviour?

It must be adopted rather than ceased

Why is physical activity difficult to maintain?

It requires considerable and sustained time and effort

What is meant by the 'path of least resistance' in physical activity?

The absence of physical activity

Why is physical activity different from many other health behaviours?

It is not a necessary behaviour and is not a one-time decision

How does the body respond to physical activity?

Through physiological adaptations

What level of activity qualifies as physical activity?

Activity above the metabolic equivalent at rest

Why was early physical activity research considered atheoretical?

Researchers focused on measuring correlates rather than using theory-based explanations

Why are theoretical frameworks useful in physical activity research?

They help define variables, test hypotheses, and design effective interventions

What are the four broad categories of physical activity theories?

Social cognitive, organismic, dual-process, and meso-level theories

What is the central assumption of social cognitive theories?

Beliefs and intentions are the most proximal and modifiable influences on behaviour

How do social cognitive theories explain behaviour?

People act according to their expectations and values regarding behavioural outcomes

According to Rhodes et al. (2019), when will individuals intend to be physically active?

When they believe physical activity is important and feel capable of doing it

What variables predict intention in the Theory of Planned Behaviour?

Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control

What is the sequence proposed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour?

Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control lead to intention, which leads to behaviour

What are attitudes towards the behaviour?

Beliefs about whether physical activity is beneficial

What are subjective norms?

Beliefs about whether important others expect you to be physically active

What is perceived behavioural control?

The belief that you are capable of engaging in physical activity

What theory did Social Cognitive Theory develop from?

Social Learning Theory

What concept underpins Social Cognitive Theory?

Reciprocal determinism

What is self-efficacy?

Belief in one's ability to perform a behaviour

What are outcome expectations?

Beliefs about what will happen as a result of behaviour

What are goals in Social Cognitive Theory?

Desired outcomes and the effort directed towards achieving them

What evidence supports Social Cognitive Theory?

Social cognitive variables are reliable correlates of physical activity and are intuitive

What is a criticism of Social Cognitive Theory?

It is debated whether beliefs and expectancies are the primary drivers of physical activity

What limitation is highlighted by the intention-behaviour gap?

Knowledge and intentions do not always translate into physical activity behaviour

What are organismic theories based on?

The idea that humans have inherent psychological needs and an innate drive to grow and develop

How do organismic theories differ from reinforcement-based theories?

They view behaviour as motivated by growth and self-development rather than rewards and punishments

What is autonomy?

Feelings of choice or volition regarding an activity

What is competence?

Feelings of capability and mastery regarding an activity

What is relatedness?

Feeling connected to others and experiencing a sense of belonging

What is Self-Determination Theory (SDT)?

An organismic theory focused on the quality of motivation

Which SDT sub-theories are commonly used to understand physical activity?

Organismic Integration Theory and Basic Psychological Needs Theory

Why is Self-Determination Theory unique?

It focuses on the quality rather than the quantity of motivation

What evidence supports Self-Determination Theory?

Need-supportive environments improve motivation and physical activity participation

What is a limitation of Self-Determination Theory?

It focuses mainly on conscious and deliberate evaluations of behaviour

What are dual-process theories?

Theories proposing that behaviour is influenced by both conscious and non-conscious processes

Why were dual-process theories developed?

Intentions explain only part of the variation in behaviour

What are automatic evaluations?

Rapid, automatic associations between a stimulus and feelings of favourability or unfavourability

What are habits?

Impulses to act based on learned associations between cues and behaviours

What evidence supports dual-process theories?

Physical activity is partly regulated by non-conscious processes

What is a limitation of dual-process theories?

There is limited evidence about their role in long-term behaviour maintenance

What is Habit Theory?

A theory proposing that habits are cognitive constructs that generate behaviour

How are habitual behaviours produced?

Through habit processes triggered by cues

Do habits and intentions occur separately?

No, habits and intentions often co-occur

How can habits be viewed within self-regulation?

As purposeful self-regulatory strategies

How does self-control interact with habits?

Low self-control increases reliance on habit strength, while high self-control allows intentions to override habits

What is the Affective-Reflective Theory of Physical Inactivity and Exercise?

A dual-process theory specifically designed to explain physical activity and inactivity

What does the Affective-Reflective Theory integrate?

Automatic affective processes, reflective thinking, and self-control

How does the Affective-Reflective Theory explain exercise avoidance?

Negative automatic reactions may override positive intentions

According to the Affective-Reflective Theory, how can physical activity participation be improved?

By developing positive automatic associations with exercise

What role does self-control play in the Affective-Reflective Theory?

It helps individuals overcome negative impulses toward exercise

What are meso-level theories?

Implementation models that combine macro-level and micro-level approaches to behaviour change

What is the purpose of meso-level theories?

To provide practical guidance for creating behaviour change

What is the Behaviour Change Wheel?

A behaviour change framework informed by the COM-B model

What does COM-B stand for?

Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour

What is capability in the COM-B model?

The psychological and physical ability to perform a behaviour

What is opportunity in the COM-B model?

The physical and social environment that enables behaviour

What is motivation in the COM-B model?

The reflective and automatic processes that drive behaviour

What are Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs)?

Strategies used to influence behaviour

What is a mechanism of action (MoA)?

The process through which a Behaviour Change Technique produces its effects

How are BCTs related to interventions?

BCTs are the active ingredients within interventions

Why is behaviour maintenance important?

Behaviour changes are often difficult to sustain over time

What limitation do many behaviour change theories have regarding maintenance?

They focus on behaviour adoption and do not adequately explain long-term maintenance

What changes occur during behaviour maintenance?

Shifts in psychological mechanisms and operational considerations

What are maintenance motives?

Sustained beliefs and values that support continued behaviour

How does self-regulation support behaviour maintenance?

Through monitoring behaviour and overcoming barriers

How do resources influence behaviour maintenance?

Abundant psychological and physical resources support continued behaviour

How do habits contribute to behaviour maintenance?

By creating automatic responses to behavioural cues

How do environmental and social influences affect behaviour maintenance?

People are more likely to maintain behaviours consistent with their social environment

What does m-PAC stand for?

Multi-Process Action Control

What is m-PAC?

An integrated meta-theory that explains physical activity intention, adoption, and maintenance

What is the focus of m-PAC?

The relationship between behaviour change techniques, mechanisms of action, and behaviour outcomes

What is action control in m-PAC?

The translation of intentions into action

What are reflective processes in m-PAC?

Conscious expectations regarding engagement in physical activity

What role do reflective processes play in m-PAC?

They form the foundation for intention development

What are regulation processes in m-PAC?

Behavioural, cognitive, and affective strategies used to translate intentions into physical activity

What role do regulation processes play in m-PAC?

They are the dominant determinant of beginning regular physical activity

What are reflexive processes in m-PAC?

Processes that develop through repeated behaviour over time

What role do reflexive processes play in m-PAC?

They support long-term maintenance by reducing reliance on self-regulation and lowering cognitive demands