Abstract
The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of supraliminal and subliminal priming of exercise or sedentary stereotypes on attitudes toward exercise as moderated by exercise self-identity. Undergraduate students (N = 293) were randomly assigned to supraliminal or subliminal sedentary or exercise prime, or matching control, conditions. Participants completed measures of exercise self-identity and exercise-related attitudes. Data were analysed using two linear regression models: one for the exercise prime conditions and one for the sedentary prime conditions. In both models, exercise self-identity significantly predicted exercise-related attitudes (? =-.62, p < .001, and ? = -.50, p < .001). In the sedentary model, the interaction between exercise self-identity and the supraliminal and subliminal exposures to the sedentary primes was also a significant predictor of attitudes (? = -.36, p <.05) and moderated the effects of exercise self-identity on attitudes (? = -.26, p = .10). Participants low in exercise self-identity supraliminally exposed to the sedentary prime had worse exercise-related attitudes than participants higher in exercise self-identity. This research provides evidence of the possible detrimental effects of sedentary stereotypes on exercise-related cognitions. This is an important finding given the relationship between attitudes and exercise. Further, little is know about how portrayals of inactive people might influence thoughts and behaviours.Acknowledgments: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council; Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions