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The role of contextual factors in the relationship between physical activity and self‐awareness
Author(s) -
Kernis Michael H.,
Grannemann Bruce D.,
Richie Talman,
Hart Judy
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8309.1988.tb00828.x
Subject(s) - psychology , social psychology , physical activity , developmental psychology , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Previous research has indicated that performing arousing or unusual activities heightens self‐awareness, as indexed by the use of first person singular pronouns in a sentence completion task (McDonald, Harris & Maher, 1983; Wegner & Giuliano, 1980; 1983). This type of self‐awareness seems to reflect awareness of oneself as an individual. In the study reported here, we examined the impact of contextual factors on both awareness of oneself as an individual and awareness of oneself as a group member. The latter type of self‐awareness was indexed by the use of first person plural pronouns. Subjects either ran or walked in place while in one of three contexts: (1) alone; (2) with co‐actors present; or (3) in a group which fostered interaction and interdependence among participants. The results indicated that, relative to the other two contexts, the group context lowered self‐awareness as indexed by the use of first person singular pronouns, but enhanced self‐awareness as indexed by the use of first person plural pronouns. This is discussed in terms of the impact that social context has on different forms of self‐awareness.