Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University (Sunway Campus), Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
J Behav Med. 2012 Jun;35(3):347-63. doi: 10.1007/s10865-011-9360-6. Epub 2011 Jun 22.
Self-regulation theory and research suggests that different types of mental imagery can promote goal-directed behaviors. The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of approach imagery (attainment of desired goal states) and process imagery (steps for enacting behavior) in promoting physical activity among inactive individuals. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 182 inactive adults who received one of four interventions for generating mental images related to physical activity over a 4-week period, with Approach Imagery (approach versus neutral) and Process Imagery (process versus no process) as the intervention strategies. Participants received imagery training and practiced daily. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that Approach Imagery: (1) increased approach motivations for physical activity at Week 4; (2) induced greater intentions post-session, which subsequently induced more action planning at Week 4; (3) enhanced action planning when combined with process images at post-session and Week 1; and (4) facilitated more physical activity at Week 4 via action planning. These findings suggest that inducing approach orientation via mental imagery may be a convenient and low-cost technique to promote physical activity among inactive individuals.
自我调节理论和研究表明，不同类型的心理意象可以促进目标导向行为。本研究旨在比较接近意象（达到期望的目标状态）和过程意象（实施行为的步骤）在促进非活跃个体进行身体活动方面的效果。对 182 名不活跃的成年人进行了一项随机对照试验，他们在 4 周内接受了与身体活动相关的心理意象生成的四种干预措施之一，其中包括接近意象（接近与中性）和过程意象（过程与无过程）作为干预策略。参与者接受意象训练并每天练习。重复测量方差分析显示，接近意象：（1）在第 4 周增加了对身体活动的接近动机；（2）在会议后引起了更大的意图，这随后在第 4 周引起了更多的行动计划；（3）在会议后和第 1 周与过程意象结合使用时增强了行动计划；（4）通过行动计划在第 4 周促进了更多的身体活动。这些发现表明，通过心理意象诱导接近方向可能是一种方便且低成本的技术，可以促进非活跃个体的身体活动。
