The role of contextual factors in the relationship between physical activity and self‐awareness

Michael H. Kernis, Bruce D. Grannemann, Talman Richie, Judy Hart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

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. 1988 The British Psychological Society

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)265-273
Number of pages9
JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology

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