Attitude Testing Examining Certain Psychological Correlates of Physical Activity

This research concerned instrument improvement and validation of the Physical Estimation and Attraction Scales (PEAS) constructed to contain 2 scores: Estimation of one's physical ability and Attraction to vigorous physical activity. An item pool of 155 attitude statements was administered to 710 males, grades 9–12. Factor analysis revealed 7 factors including 1 massive factor composed almost entirely of Attraction statements. Further item analyses produced a final inventory of 89 items. Preferred responses (N = 187) were summed to obtain scores for Estimation, Attraction, and the 7 factors. Internal reliability coefficients (KR–20) of scales ranged from .70 to .90. Significant correlation coefficients were obtained between scales composed of Estimation items and measures of height, athletic experience, self-acceptance (IAV), and physical fitness (Fleishman Basic Fitness Test). Within experimental limitations the rationale of the PEAS appeared to be substantiated.