Abstract
The main purpose of the study was to compare the efficiency of the Fishbein and Ajzen and the Triandis models to predict (1) the intention to participate regularly in some physical activities during free time within a 3-week period and (2) the exercise behavior within these 3 weeks among a group of 166 subjects, aged 22 to 65 years. Our results show that the Triandis model was as efficient as the Fishbein and Ajzen model in predicting the exercise behavior. However, the results obtained from the Triandis model demonstrate the importance of the habit of exercising in predicting the exercise behavior. Moreover, the Triandis model was superior to the Fishbein and Ajzen model in explaining behavioral intention. Of particular interest was the salience of the affective, social, and personal belief components of the Triandis model. In addition, from a practical perspective, this comparative study showed that (1) to exercise regularly is perceived as hard work, and (2) individuals believe that it is their own responsibility to exercise or not to exercise.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ajzen, I., and Fishbein, M. (1980).Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Ajzen, I., and Timko, C. (1986). Correspondence between health attitudes and behavior.Basic Appl. Soc. Psychol. 7: 259–276.
Cooper, J., and Croyle, R. T. (1984). Attitudes and attitude change.Annu. Revi. Psychol. 35: 395–426.
Fazio, R. H., and Zanna, M. P. (1981). Direct experience and attitude-behavior consistency. In Berkowitz, L. (ed.),Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 14, Academic Press, New York, pp. 161–202.
Fishbein, M. (1976). Extending the extended model: Some comments.Adv. Consumer Res. 3: 491–497.
Fishcein, M. (1983). Factors influencing health behaviors: An analysis based on the theory of reasoned action. In Landry, F. (ed.),La mesure et l'atténuation des facteurs de risque et de la promotion de la santé: Les 18 e Assises annuelles de la Sociéte de Medecine Prospective, Association Canadienne d'Hygiène Publique, Ottowa, pp. 205–214.
Fishbein, M., and Ajzen, I. (1975).Belief, Attitude, Intention and Behavior: An Introduction to Theory and Research, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass.
Godin, G. (1987). Importance of the emotional aspect of attitude to predict intention.Psychol. Rep. 61: 719–723.
Godin, G., and Shephard, R. J. (1986). Importance of type of attitude to the study of exercise-behavior.Psychol. Rep. 58: 991–1000.
Godin, G., Shephard, R. J., and Colantonio, A. (1986). The cognitive profile of those who intend to exercise but do not.Public Health Rep. 101: 521–526.
Godin, G., Valois, P., Shephard, R. J., and Desharnais, R. (1987). Prediction of leisure-time exercise behavior: A path analysis (LISREL V) model.J. Behav. Med. 10: 145–158.
Haskell, W. L. (1985). Physical activity and health: Need to define the required stimulus.Am. J. Cardiol. 55: 4D-9D.
Kannell, W. B., and Blair, S. N. (1985). Epidemiological assessment of the role of physical activity and fitness in the development of cardiovascular disease.Am. Heart J. 109: 876–885.
Miniard, P. W., and Cohen, J. B. (1981). An examination of the Fishbein-Ajzen behavioral-intention model's concepts and measures.J. Exp. Soc. Psychol. 17: 309–339.
Riddle, P. K. (1980). Attitudes, belief, behavioral intentions, and behaviors of women and men toward regular exercise.Res. Q. Exercise Sport 51: 663–674.
Wankel, L. M. (1985). Personal and situational factors affecting exercise involvement: The importance of enjoyment.Res. Q. Exercise Sport 56: 275–282.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Valois, P., Desharnais, R. & Godin, G. A comparison of the Fishbein and Ajzen and the Triandis attitudinal models for the prediction of exercise intention and behavior. J Behav Med 11, 459–472 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00844839
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00844839