The independence of implicit and explicit attitudes toward physical activity: Introspective access and attitudinal concordance

ObjectiveThis study investigated relations between implicit and explicit attitudes toward physical activity, as well as the role of individual differences in introspective access as a possible moderator of implicit–explicit attitudinal concordance.DesignThe design was non-experimental and involved self-report and behavioral measures.MethodUndergraduate students (N = 203) completed explicit measures of attitudes toward physical activity and its outcomes. They also completed a Single-Category Implicit Association Test adapted to assess implicit evaluative attitudes toward physical activity.ResultsImplicit and explicit attitudes toward physical activity were unrelated and neither private self-consciousness nor private body consciousness moderated the relation.ConclusionsThese findings support the theory that implicit and explicit attitudes toward physical activity are independent systems. We discuss the implications of these findings for physical activity promotion efforts.