The goal of lesson five is to review one peer-reviewed psychology publication, identify the main elements and demonstrate understanding of the author’s study. The following paper details the hypothesis, importance of the research and methods used. In addition, discussions about the variable, the key findings and whether the conclusions stated are in synch with the statistical results are included. The paper reviewed was written by Plante et al. and is titled “Does exercise environment enhance the psychological benefits of exercise for women?”(2007). The hypothesis of this research is that working out with a friend and working out outdoors has a more positive affect on mood than exercising alone or inside. Information about mood and exercise
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looked at the “social and contextual benefits of exercise” (2007, p.90) and utilized two experiments to study this relationship. Participants were 88 female undergraduate students ranging in age from 18 to 22. Mood was the independent variable in each study. The first experiment utilized biking at a moderate speed (60% - 70% of their heart rate) for twenty minutes with a friend, without a friend or alone as the independent variables. The second study utilized walking at a moderate speed (60% - 70% of their heart rate) for twenty minutes outside alone, on a treadmill alone, outside with a friend and on a treadmill with a friend as the independent variables. The emotional assessment was taken before and after the activity using the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. These are established methods of measurement that have previously been found to maintain internal validity and thus are acceptable measurements. To minimize and measure confounding variables, respondents were asked not to exercise on the day of the study so that fatigue could be eliminated and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale assessment was given. Still validity is a concern. Participants received college credit for taking part so there was coercion. Also, the independent variable, which was supposed to be walking alone, actually took place in a well-occupied fitness club. Lastly, external validity is lacking because the sample contains a relatively narrow age range of female college
looked at the “social and contextual benefits of exercise” (2007, p.90) and utilized two experiments to study this relationship. Participants were 88 female undergraduate students ranging in age from 18 to 22. Mood was the independent variable in each study. The first experiment utilized biking at a moderate speed (60% - 70% of their heart rate) for twenty minutes with a friend, without a friend or alone as the independent variables. The second study utilized walking at a moderate speed (60% - 70% of their heart rate) for twenty minutes outside alone, on a treadmill alone, outside with a friend and on a treadmill with a friend as the independent variables. The emotional assessment was taken before and after the activity using the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. These are established methods of measurement that have previously been found to maintain internal validity and thus are acceptable measurements. To minimize and measure confounding variables, respondents were asked not to exercise on the day of the study so that fatigue could be eliminated and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale assessment was given. Still validity is a concern. Participants received college credit for taking part so there was coercion. Also, the independent variable, which was supposed to be walking alone, actually took place in a well-occupied fitness club. Lastly, external validity is lacking because the sample contains a relatively narrow age range of female college