“Taking” an Aerobics Class in the U.S. and “Entering” an Aerobics Class in Japan: Primary and Secondary Control in a Fitness Context

The study tested Weisz, Rothbaum, and Blackburn's (1984) hypothesis that “primary” control is emphasized in the United States and “secondary” control is emphasized in Japan. Aerobics participants in Japan and the United States completed surveys about their reasons for choosing classes, their attributions for mistakes in class, their behavioral responses to a difficult class, and what others in the class typically do. Some responses indicated that both groups use some secondary control. But Americans were more likely to report that they choose classes based on convenience and that they change moves in the class that are too difficult, a pattern that suggests primary control. Japanese were more likely to report that they choose classes based on their ability level, work harder when moves are too difficult, and attribute mistakes to a lack of fit between their own ability and the level of the class, a pattern that suggests more secondary control.