The effect of different response formats on ratings of exerciser stereotypes

In this study we examined the relationships of different response formats, respondent gender, and activity level, to ratings of exercise stereotypes. Participants (N = 203) completed 8 question sets about 8 exerciser stereotypes. In each questionnaire, 1 question was inadvertently measured twice with different response options of definitely would not like to do this/definitely would like to do this (NL anchor) or definitely false/definitely true (FT anchor). Results showed that ratings on the FT statements were significantly higher than those on NL statements for 2 stereotypes: judgmental young women and overweight. There were also significant effects of gender by activity level on ratings of runners. Both gender and activity levels were related to ratings of liking to exercise for some, but not all, of the stereotypes.