Learning Activities

Chapter 5

In Class

This task shows each person how the Physical Self-Perception Profile is constructed and scored. It is a set of examples and not the complete profile.

First decide which one of the two statements best describes you (for example):

• some people are not very confident about their level of physical conditioning and fitness
• others always feel confident that they maintain excellent conditioning and fitness

Then for the statement you have chosen decide if it is ‘really true for me’ or ‘sort of true for me’.

Choices are scored 1 to 4. If you have chosen the most positive statement (others always feel confident that they maintain excellent conditioning and fitness) and say that it is really true for you then you would score 4. If you say that it is only sort of true for you then score 3. In contrast if you select the more negative option (some people are not very confident about their level of physical conditioning and fitness) and say it is really true for you then you would score only 1, but if you say that it is sort of true for you then you score 2.

In the full version, there are six items for each sub component as well as for the higher order construct of Physical Self-Worth (PSW), giving 30 items in total. However, we provide two example statements from each of the four sub-domain subscales. The higher the score the more you perceive that you have (endorse) that aspect of physical self-perception.

Work through each of the following items from the PPSP and score them for yourself.

Physical condition

• some people are not very confident about their level of physical conditioning and fitness
• others always feel confident that they maintain excellent conditioning and fitness

score =

Physical strength

• some people that they are physically stronger than most people of their sex
• others feel that they lack physical strength compared to most people of their sex

score =

Sports competence

• some people feel that they are not very good when it comes to playing sports
• others feel that they are very good at just about every sport

score =

Attractive body

• some people feel that compared to most they have an attractive body
• others feel that compared to most their body is not quite so attractive

score =

From these short examples do you have an area of your physical self-perception in which you have a more positive score or a more negative score?

Do you consider these areas to be important aspects of your self-perception?

What might change your scores over time?

Out of Class

In The Chief Medical Officer's report on physical activity and health (Department of Health, 2004), he states “current levels of physical activity are a reflection of personal attitudes” (p. iv).

Write a critique of this statement with specific reference to the literature on physical activity and self-efficacy.

Reference:

Department of Health. (2004). At least five a week: Evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health. A report from the Chief Medical Officer. London: Author.