The dynamics of success and failure: how post-behaviour evaluations relate to subsequent exercise intentions and behaviour

Abstract

Objective: Exercise behaviour change involves multiple experiences with success and failure. The Model of Action Phases (MAP) offers a dynamic account of how success and failure influence both immediate evaluations and future decisions and actions. However, predictions from the MAP have not been formally tested.

Design: A longitudinal daily diary study was used to examine how post-behaviour evaluations of exercise success and failure influence subsequent exercise intentions and behaviour. Participants (N = 104) set exercise goals, and then kept a daily online exercise diary for four weeks.

Main outcome measures: Participants self-reported exercise behaviour, affective response to exercise, self-evaluations after success or failure at following through on intentions to exercise, and intentions to exercise in the next week.

Results: Multilevel modelling revealed significant within- and between-participant relationships among post-behaviour evaluations, intentions and subsequent behaviour. Findings supported MAP-derived predictions about how success and failure at exercise are associated with feelings about exercise and the self, and inform subsequent exercise intentions and behaviour.

Conclusion: Positive post-behaviour evaluations of success or failure may stabilise positive intentions and aid maintenance of exercise behaviour. Implications of these MAP-based findings for intervention design are discussed.

Keywords:

• model of action phases
• affective response
• exercise
• self-conscious emotion
• post-behaviour evaluations

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank all of our participants for their contributions. We also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of several undergraduate research assistants who helped make this project happen: Margaret ‘Megie’ Shean, Caroline Stewart Davis, and Hannah Schwartz Fields.