Adults’ perceptions of words for exercise goals

The purpose of this research was to explore which exercise goal words adults’ perceived to be intrinsic and/or extrinsic, how these perceptions differed from those of SDT experts and whether goal orientation and gender played a role in these classifications. A cross-sectional, online survey was presented to SDT experts (n = 13) and general population participants (nmen = 123, nwomen = 188). Chi-Square tests were used to explore differences in perception of 118 words by expertise (general/expert), gender, and goal orientation. Within the general population, 46 words were perceived as intrinsic and 25 as extrinsic. Additionally, experts and general population participants differed significantly on 55% of words, men and women on 21% and differing goal orientations on 7%. Findings identified 71words that most participants perceived as intrinsic/extrinsic, therefore researchers can feel confident using. These findings also highlight 55 words that the general population’s perception contrasted theory and researcher’s perceptions.

Authors

• Wall, Hayley Robyn
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science

• Self-Determination Theory
• exercise goal perception
• exercise psychology
• Goals (Psychology)
• Exercise
• Autonomy (Psychology)
• Exercise--Psychological aspects
• Perception
• Connotation (Linguistics)
• Health promotion--Terminology--Psychological aspects
• Dissertations, Academic

Identifier

hdl:10133/6247

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/6247