Categorization Effect on Exercise Goal Progress Perception and Motivation: Moderating the Role of Self-efficacy

Abstract

PURPOSE This research explores the underlying mechanism that determines how people perceive their goal progress and its relation with their motivation and self-efficacy. METHODS Three hundred and sixty Koreans who participated in an online survey were given salient individual exercise goals (11 workouts), and they reported their self-efficacy, goal progress perception, and motivation. We conducted dummy variable multiple regression analysis (2 [absolute progress-low (27%) vs. high (73%)] X 2 [categorization vs. no-categorization]) and multiple moderated mediation analysis based on Process Model 7 and 21 (Hayes, 2017). RESULTS The findings showed significant interaction between categorization and absolute progress on progress perception. In low progress condition, the categorization group perceived more progress than no categorization group and contrary effect in high progress condition. For motivation, in low progress condition, categorization group was more motivated than no categorization group, and inverse effect in high progress condition. Moreover, there was no direct effect, but only low self-efficacy group played the moderating role between perceived progress and motivation in conditional indirect effect. Lastly, the result indicated significant multiple moderated mediation effect. CONCLUSIONS This research theoretically contributes to the domains of categorization and motivation. Sport marketers can utilize categorization as a strategy by breaking down yearly memberships into monthly categories based on consumers perceptions. Future research can include subsequent motivation after a superordinate goal is completed.