Effects of Episodic Memory Recall on Reinforcing Value of Physical Activity

Abstract

Objective: Many people prefer a sedentary versus an active lifestyle and have difficulty completing sufficient physical activity to improve health. While exercise can be a powerful reinforcer for some people, many prefer to be sedentary. The relative reinforcing value of physical activity (RRVPA) is influenced by a person’s learning history with positive experiences strengthening the motivation to be active. Episodic memories may be critical to determining RRVPA, or RRV of different types of positive behaviors. Method: As a potential way to increase RRVPA we examined if recalling a positive episodic memory would affect RRVPA. One hundred and thirty seven adult participants completed measures of reinforcement history and memory functions and then recalled a single positive episode of either a physical activity or of a cognitively enriching activity, rated subjective memory qualities, and completed tasks to measure the RRV of both types of activity. Results: Recalling a positive episodic memory increased RRV for the respective activity, and changes in RRVPA were moderated by how much the memory satisfies a basic psychological need. Conclusions: This research demonstrates the impact of episodic memory on RRVPA, which could be leveraged to aid behavior change efforts.