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Objectives: The purpose of this research was two-fold: (1) to explore the relationship between descriptive and injunctive norm perceptions on stair-use, and (2) to examine the impact of social and non-social stair prompts on stair use. Design: Study 1 employed a cross-sectional design, and Study 2 had a time-series experimental design, with two baseline periods and two intervention periods. Method: A total of 226 adults completed the online survey for Study 1, reporting their social norm perceptions and individual stair use. For Study 2, 8007 individuals entered the stairwell or elevator over the four-week observation period, either measured by infrared people-counters installed across the entrance to the stairs or by observed trainers positioned near the elevators. Results: Study 1 showed a positive relationship between descriptive and injunctive norm perceptions and individual stair use. Study 2 found social prompts to significantly increase the proportion of individuals taking the stairs compared to baseline. The non-social prompts did not increase stair use beyond the effects of the social prompts. Conclusions: Individuals perceptions of what is typical and/or desirable behaviour relates to individuals self reported stair use. Further, findings support the use of social messages as an alternate message for prompting stair use in a university setting. Health practitioners may wish to harness the power of social influence and emphasise that stair use is typical and desirable. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Objectives The purpose was to explore the relationship between athletes’ self-compassion and perceptions of their teammates’ self-compassion (descriptive norm). A secondary purpose was to explore whether gender moderated this relationship. Design Cross-sectional, online survey. Method Team sport competitive athletes (N = 108; Mage = 23.1 years; SDage = 4.68) reported their descriptive norm perceptions of their teammates’ self-compassion as well as their own self-compassion. Results Hierarchical regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between descriptive norms and self-compassion, explaining 17.2% of the variance in self-compassion. The more it was perceived that teammates were engaging in self-compassion, the more likely athletes reported being self-compassionate (β = 0.39). There were no significant main or interaction effects of gender. Conclusions Athletes’ self-compassion is related to their perceptions of how often their teammates are self-compassionate. Coaches and sport psychologists should encourage athletes to build awareness about how their cognitions and behaviours relate to others’ cognitions and behaviours.