Reflections on non-WEIRD behavior change and the next generation of physical activity research: a commentary on Simpson et al., (2025)

Angela Beggan; Kerry R. McGannon

doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102993

Reflections on non-WEIRD behavior change and the next generation of physical activity research: a commentary on Simpson et al., (2025)

Angela Beggan^*
, Kerry R. McGannon

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

Abstract

This commentary responds to Simpson et al.’s (2025) call to broaden health behavior change (BC) research in physical activity (PA) beyond WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic) paradigms. Drawing from narrative, discursive, and post-qualitative traditions, we reflect on the conceptual and historical meanings of “WEIRD” and explore its limitations. We propose three transgressive directions for future BC and PA research: humility, reflexivity, and attention to wyrd ways of life. These reflections invite researchers to move beyond the ‘same old’ assumptions and consider culturally situated, relational, and decolonizing approaches that reimagine what BC and PA conceptions and research can mean, do, and become.

Original language	English
Article number	102993
Number of pages	3
Journal	Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Volume	82
Early online date	6 Oct 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102993
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 6 Oct 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Keywords

socio-cultural approaches
postqualitative
decolonial theory
health inequality
intervention

Access to Document

10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102993

Embargoed Document

2025 09 04 Beggan et al non-WEIRD accepted
Accepted author manuscript, 157 KB
Licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Embargo ends: 6/04/27

Cite this

@article{992108ba050e47368fbbb11b16c53544,

title = "Reflections on non-WEIRD behavior change and the next generation of physical activity research: a commentary on Simpson et al., (2025)",

abstract = "This commentary responds to Simpson et al.{\textquoteright}s (2025) call to broaden health behavior change (BC) research in physical activity (PA) beyond WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic) paradigms. Drawing from narrative, discursive, and post-qualitative traditions, we reflect on the conceptual and historical meanings of “WEIRD” and explore its limitations. We propose three transgressive directions for future BC and PA research: humility, reflexivity, and attention to wyrd ways of life. These reflections invite researchers to move beyond the {\textquoteleft}same old{\textquoteright} assumptions and consider culturally situated, relational, and decolonizing approaches that reimagine what BC and PA conceptions and research can mean, do, and become.",

keywords = "socio-cultural approaches, postqualitative, decolonial theory, health inequality, intervention",

author = "Angela Beggan and McGannon, \{Kerry R.\}",

year = "2025",

month = oct,

day = "6",

doi = "10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102993",

language = "English",

volume = "82",

journal = "Psychology of Sport and Exercise",

issn = "1469-0292",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Reflections on non-WEIRD behavior change and the next generation of physical activity research

T2 - a commentary on Simpson et al., (2025)

AU - Beggan, Angela

AU - McGannon, Kerry R.

PY - 2025/10/6

Y1 - 2025/10/6

N2 - This commentary responds to Simpson et al.’s (2025) call to broaden health behavior change (BC) research in physical activity (PA) beyond WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic) paradigms. Drawing from narrative, discursive, and post-qualitative traditions, we reflect on the conceptual and historical meanings of “WEIRD” and explore its limitations. We propose three transgressive directions for future BC and PA research: humility, reflexivity, and attention to wyrd ways of life. These reflections invite researchers to move beyond the ‘same old’ assumptions and consider culturally situated, relational, and decolonizing approaches that reimagine what BC and PA conceptions and research can mean, do, and become.

AB - This commentary responds to Simpson et al.’s (2025) call to broaden health behavior change (BC) research in physical activity (PA) beyond WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic) paradigms. Drawing from narrative, discursive, and post-qualitative traditions, we reflect on the conceptual and historical meanings of “WEIRD” and explore its limitations. We propose three transgressive directions for future BC and PA research: humility, reflexivity, and attention to wyrd ways of life. These reflections invite researchers to move beyond the ‘same old’ assumptions and consider culturally situated, relational, and decolonizing approaches that reimagine what BC and PA conceptions and research can mean, do, and become.

KW - socio-cultural approaches

KW - postqualitative

KW - decolonial theory

KW - health inequality

KW - intervention

U2 - 10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102993

DO - 10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102993

M3 - Comment/debate

SN - 1469-0292

VL - 82

JO - Psychology of Sport and Exercise

JF - Psychology of Sport and Exercise

M1 - 102993

ER -

Reflections on non-WEIRD behavior change and the next generation of physical activity research: a commentary on Simpson et al., (2025)

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Embargoed Document

Fingerprint

Cite this