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Mirror, mirror by the stairs: the impact of self-awareness on stair versus elevator use in college students

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dc.contributor.authorHodgin, Katie L., author
dc.contributor.authorGraham, Daniel, advisor
dc.contributor.authorNelson, Tracy, committee member
dc.contributor.authorWitt, Jessica, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2015-08-28T14:35:47Z
dc.date.available2015-08-28T14:35:47Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractPrevious research has indicated that self-awareness-inducing mirrors can successfully incite behavior change, such as encouraging helping. However, few studies have examined how mirror exposure and perceived body size influence physical activity participation. The present study assessed stair versus elevator use on a western college campus and hypothesized that mirror exposure would increase stair use. One hundred and sixty-seven students enrolled in an introductory psychology course were recruited to take a survey interested in their "transportation choices" at an indoor campus parking garage. Participants were individually exposed to either no mirror, a standard full-length mirror, or a full-length mirror manipulated to make the reflected body size appear either slightly thinner or slightly wider than normal before being asked to go to the fourth floor of the garage for a survey. Participants’ choice of floor climbing method (stairs or elevator) was recorded and they were administered an internet-based survey assessing demographic information, body mass index (BMI), self-awareness, and other variables likely to be associated with stair use. Results from logistic regression analyses revealed that participants who were not exposed to a mirror (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14 – 0.96), males (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13 – 0.85), those with lower BMI (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71 – 0.99), those with higher exercise participation (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02 – 1.18), and those engaging in more unhealthy weight-control behaviors (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.14 – 2.11) were significantly more likely to take the stairs. Implications and future directions are discussed.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierHodgin_colostate_0053N_13241.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/167255
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectself-awareness
dc.subjectmirror
dc.subjectstair use
dc.titleMirror, mirror by the stairs: the impact of self-awareness on stair versus elevator use in college students
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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