Kinesiology 2276F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Social Control
18 Oct 2018
School
Department
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Professor
Social Influences on Exercise
Real or imagined pressure to change one's behavior, attitudes or beliefs
Can come from doctors, fitness leaders, family members and so on
o
•
An understanding of this pressure may lead to the development of interventions that
use social influence to increase physical activity participation
•
Social Support
Most important type of social influence in exercise and physical activity settings
•
The perceived comfort, caring assistance and information that a person receives from
others
•
Two approaches
Measure size of one's social network
o
Measure amount and type of support that an exerciser receives
o
•
Size of Social Network
Measured by the number of groups or individuals an exerciser can turn to for support
•
Does not take into account quality or type of support provided
•
Types of Support
Instrumental support
Practical, tangible assistance
Ex. Parent driving child to workout
•
o
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Emotional support
Encouragement, praise, empathy, concern
"It's great to see you working out."
•
o
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Informational Support
Direction, suggestions, advice, feedback
o
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Companionship support
Friends, family members, exercise groups
o
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Validation
Comparison with others to gauge progress
o
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Research on Relationships Between Social Support and PA
Number of social contacts
People who have more available support sources reported greater levels of
physical exertion
o
•
Amount and type of social support
The most effective type of support depends on exercisers need at given time
o
Exercisers may need emotional support more than they need instrumental
support
o
•
Individual and Group Influence on Exercise
Family (spouse, children, parents)
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Important others (physician , friends, coworkers)
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Fitness professionals and instructors
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Other exercise participants
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Influence of Family - Spousal or Partner Support
Individuals have better attendance and fewer drop out rates when exercising with a
spouse
Emotional support
o
Companionship support
o
•
Spouses/partners to provide much-needed support to mothers with young children bc
mothers may have difficult finding time to exercise
•
Influence of Family - Parental Support
Social support from parents and family has been identified as one of the most
important determinants of participants in physical activity
•
Parents provide many different types of social support
Instrumental: transportation, pay fees
o
Emotional: provide encouragement
o
Informational - teach new activity
o
Companionship: play with their children
o
•
Downside to Family Support
Behavioral reactance: when family members pressure a loved one to exercise, that
person may respond in the opposite manner and actually exercise less
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Parental pressure
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Social control - over social activities or social life
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Overprotectiveness
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Influence of Physician
Many people look to health professionals for advice on how to become physically
active
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Physicians who exercise regularly are important role models
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Not all physicians prescribe exercise
Don’t perceive exercise as an immediate treatment
o
Do not feel qualified to perform exercise counselling
o
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Dogs as Social Influence
People who own dogs are more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels
than those who do not
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Many dog owners report feeling guilty if they do not walk their dogs; guilt avoid
becomes a powerful incentive
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Dogs provide companionship support
Day #5
Thursday, October 18, 2018
10:28 AM
Document Summary
Real or imagined pressure to change one"s behavior, attitudes or beliefs. Can come from doctors, fitness leaders, family members and so on o. An understanding of this pressure may lead to the development of interventions that use social influence to increase physical activity participation. Most important type of social influence in exercise and physical activity settings. The perceived comfort, caring assistance and information that a person receives from others. Measure amount and type of support that an exerciser receives. Measured by the number of groups or individuals an exerciser can turn to for support. Does not take into account quality or type of support provided. Research on relationships between social support and pa. People who have more available support sources reported greater levels of physical exertion. Amount and type of social support o o. The most effective type of support depends on exercisers need at given time. Exercisers may need emotional support more than they need instrumental support.
