Applying the Model of Goal-Directed Behavior, Including Descriptive Norms, to Physical Activity Intentions

Abstract

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has received its fair share of criticism lately, including calls for it to retire. We contribute to improving the theory by testing extensions such as the model of goal-directed behavior (MGDB, which adds desire and anticipated positive and negative emotions) applied to physical activity (PA) intention. We also test the inclusion of a descriptive norms construct as an addition to the subjective norms construct, also applied to PA, resulting in two additional models: TPB including descriptive norms (TPB + DN) and MGDB including descriptive norms (MGDB + DN). The study is based on an online survey of 400 young adult Internet users, previously enrolled in a subject pool. Confirmatory factor analysis

Tracing How Normative Messages May Influence Physical Activity Intention

“…The scales in this questionnaire were based on validated TPB and MGDB scales (Esposito, van Bavel, Baranowski, & Duch-Brown, 2016). In the case of TPB, the scales had previously been applied to PA specifically (Hagger, Chatzisarantis, Biddle, & Orbell, 2001;Hales, Evenson, Wen, & Wilcox, 2010).…”

“…They have been introduced in some studies as an element of subjective norms in TPB (Rivis & Sheeran, 2003) and MGDB (Esposito et al, 2016). In this paper, the concept of subjective norms is divided in two: injunctive norms, the traditional conceptualization of subjective norms in TPB, and DNs, perceptions of what most other people who are relevant to the individual are doing (Cialdini et al, 1990).…”

“…A full list of the items used to measure all constructs and the reliability observed for each scale are presented in Esposito et al (2016). Only MGDB and MGDB + DNs were fit for purpose, following Hu and Bentler's (1999) two-index strategy.…”

“…Only MGDB and MGDB + DNs were fit for purpose, following Hu and Bentler's (1999) two-index strategy. Further analysis using structural equation modeling showed that MGDB + DNs had greater explanatory power than MGDB (Esposito et al, 2016). Therefore, in this study, we used MGDB + DNs (Figure 2).…”

Evaluation of a cognitive affective model of physical activity behavior

“…This cognitive outcome is often operationalized as a higher-order cognition, governed by the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for the engagement in goaldirected behaviors and inhibition of goal-inconsistent behaviors. 7 Executive function has been shown to moderate the intention-behavior relationship for several behaviors, including physical activity. 8 In addition to physical activity behavior being directly regulated by executive control processes, 5 executive function may indirectly influence physical activity via shaping affective-related processes.…”