Winning friends and influencing people: self-presentation motives in physical activity settings

Abstract

In this article, a critical eye is cast over research into self-presentational processes in physical activity settings, and a focus is given to recent developments in the study of impression motivation. In line with calls for theoretical advancement in this area, we draw from the literature on approach/avoidance and agency/communion distinctions in the construction of a 2 × 2 framework for the study of self-presentation motives. We propose that when performing physical activity within interpersonal environments, individuals may adopt acquisitive-agentic, acquisitive-communal, protective-agentic, and/or protective-communal motives. Theory-derived predictors of these motives, implications of motive endorsement, and possible moderators of the effects of motive adoption on physical activity outcomes are discussed.

Keywords:

• impression motivation
• exercise behaviour
• interpersonal
• perceptions
• goals