The Role of Affect in Dual Process Models and Its Importance for Exercise Adherence: A Literature Review

Abstract

The rise of dual process-based behaviour theories reflects a shift from the predominant social-cognitivist paradigm towards a more considerable recognition of automatic/implicit factors in behaviour research. The present narrative review aims to provide a clearer definition of affect, emotion, and mood, followed by a presentation of dual process theory models that consider core affect an essential aspect of implicit processes and, direct or indirectly, of explicit processes. Some of the theories reviewed in this article are the Affective-Reflective Theory of Physical Inactivity and Exercise (ART), the Theory of Effort Minimization in Physical Activity (TEMPA), the Physical Activity Adoption and Maintenance Model (PAAM), and the Affect and Health and Behavior Framework (AHBF). This article thoroughly describes the associations between implicit (e.g., affect, habit) and explicit (e.g., intention, autoregulatory trace) determinants and the regular practice of physical activity and exercise. We suggest that the lack of acknowledgement that the implicit processes have suffered has limited the development and comprehension of interventions aiming to promote long-term behaviour adoption (e.g., exercise). Lastly, we briefly reflect on possible connections and overlaps in these models and with future directions and practical applications.