What is it about?
There has been mixed/inconclusive evidence regarding how social norms (i.e., unwritten rules about how to behave in specific social contexts) can promote physical activity. We provide a review of the research studies in the literature that examined the relationship between social norms and physical activity. Based on our review, we attempt to provide some explanations as to why social norms may have been found to be a weak factor in people's physical activity.
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Why is it important?
There are two types of social norms: injunctive (i.e., perceptions of what behaviour is "approved") and descriptive (i.e., perceptions of what behaviour is "typical"). In particular, previous research suggested that injunctive norms do not really impact our physical activity intentions. However, we suggest some reasons as to why research has found this, and assert that it may be premature to conclude that social norms are not important in physical activity.
Perspectives
Before concluding that social norms are weak factors in impacting people's physical activity, we believe that there are several factors that should be carefully considered when examining social norms in relation to physical activity. For example, research may need to consider factors such as individuals' personality factors (i.e., their degree of sensitivity to social pressures), willingness to comply with the social norms, the sources of these norms (e.g., parents, friends, siblings etc.), and their current physical activity levels.
Jeemin Kim
Wilfrid Laurier University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Social norms and physical activity in American and Canadian contexts: a scoping review, International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, July 2017, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/1750984x.2017.1354229.
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