Exercise Psych Exam #1

Chapters 1-3

Independent variable

A variable in which the changes are the result of some other variable (what we are manipulating)

Dependent variable

 The variable that affects changes in some other variables (outcome being measured)

Control group

A group that is treated normally and gives us a measure of how people behave when they are not exposed to the experimental treatment

Reliability

Whether something is consistent. In the case of a study, whether it is replicable

Validity

Whether something is true – measures what it sets out to measure

Hypothesis

Formal statement or prediction of what the researcher expects to find

Case study

In-depth investigation of a single person, group or event, where data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods (e.g. observations & interviews)

Dualism

Mind and body function separately, without interchange

Monism

Mind exists only by the function of the body

The basic tenet of the James-Lange theory

Emotions result from the evaluation of different physiological responses. Different emotions have different patterns of physiological responses, and the perception of those responses results in emotion

Key questions the dose-response debate examined between PA and mental health

1. What type of activity? 2. What duration of activity? 3. What level of effort or intensity? 4. How frequent?

Three key conclusions between PA and mental health (1996 Surgeon General’s Report)

Regular physical activity reduces feelings of depression and anxiety and promotes psychological well-being. Sedentary lifestyles are a risk factor for depression. Physical activity may be used as an adjunct treatment for mental health problems

Potential benefits of using PA as a treatment for mental health

Self-administration, convenience, low cost, minimal side effects, social acceptability, ancillary physical benefits, and decreased risk of physical health

Two key areas where research and practice in exercise psychology can play a role

Exercise adoption: What encourages people? Exercise maintenance (adherence): What holds the most promise?

Exercise Psychology

The study of brain and behavior in physical activity and exercise settings

Assessment

The use of a variety of techniques to gather information and make decisions based on outcomes (measurement and evaluation) 

Physical activity

Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure

Exercise

Planned, structured, repetitive bodily movements that someone engages in for the purpose of improving or maintaining one or more components of physical fitness or health 

Acute exercise

Single, relatively short bout of exercise 

Chronic exercise

Exercise is carried out repeatedly over time, usually several times each week or for various durations 

Unidimensional

A variable that ranges from low to high

Multidimensional

A variable that has different components

Health-related fitness

Fitness that improves someone's overall health, disease prevention, and functional capacity; brisk walking, swimming, yoga

Skill-related fitness

Fitness that focuses on abilities that require specific sports performance and athletic proficiency; soccer dribbling, balancing on a beam, reacting to a starting gun

The four measureable dimensions of PA (FITT)

F: Frequency (days per week); I: Intensity (rate of energy expenditure, often determined by HR or Rate of Perceived Exertion); T: Time (minutes, hours, etc.); T: Type (activity you're doing)

Research issues that can limit or confound research studies

Sampling bias, Hawthorne effect, and Social desirability

Sampling bias

Samples are often based on convenience; results may not apply to larger population

Hawthorne effect

Improvements occur to increase awareness/attention

Social desireability

Respond in a way to make yourself look better; you may not answer honestly 

Limitations of self-report of PA

Self-reports of physical activity can be influenced by intentional or unintentional biases

Limitations of wearable technology for measuring PA

They can be expensive, complex, and unreliable

Limitations of using observation measuring PA

Potential for people to change their behavior because they are being observed

The five “W’s” of exercise

WHO exercises (or doesn’t)? WHERE do they exercise? When do they exercise? WHY do they exercise? What do they do when they exercise?

GENDER trends/patterns in PA

Boys/men are more physically active than girls/women

AGE trends/patterns in PA

Younger humans are more physically active than older humans

RACE/ETHNICITY trends/patterns in PA

White adults, but Native American high schoolers

INCOME trends/patterns in PA

Higher income = higher participation (positive and linear)

EDUCATION trends/patterns in PA

Higher education = greater leisure-time physical activity (low intensity)

DISABILTIES trend/patterns in PA

Less active than the general population and at increased risk for secondary physical/psychological health problems

Morbidity

Disease rates can be directly and positively impacted by the adoption of a physically active lifestyle

Morality

Active people outlive those who are inactive; the risk of death is reduced by 20%-30% for those who are active

Models

A graphic depiction of a phenomenon; describes but does not explain why it occurs

Theories

Allows us to better understand and predict exercise behavior; a scientifically validated blueprint from which to formulate hypotheses and design effective behavioral interventions

Stimulus Response Theory (SRT)

Predicts that people’s future behavior depends on the consequences of their past behavior

Classical conditioning in SRT

Reflexive behaviors can be elicited through repeated pairings of the behavior with an antecedent cue (Pavlov and his dog)

Instrumental conditioning in SRT

A voluntary behavior can be learned by pairing the behavior with consequent reinforcement 

Positive reinforcement in SRT

Any intrinsic or extrinsic reward that increases the likelihood of a person exercising in the future (feeling accomplished or getting a t-shirt after a workout)

Negative reinforcement in SRT

Generally unpleasant or aversive stimuli that, when withdrawn after a behavior, will increase the frequency of that behavior in the future (exercise to get rid of knee discomfort)

Social Cognitive Theories

Explain future exercise behaviors as being determined by a person’s motivation. The behaviors are based on a complex decision-making process that takes into account their thoughts and feelings about the behavior

Self-efficacy

If people believe that they can execute a particular course of action, they become more motivated to do so, and are inclined to take action (self-confidence)

Primary sources of self-efficacy

Past performance, Vicarious experiences, Social persuasion, Physiological/affective states

Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

Intention represents person’s motivation, decision, or conscious plan to exert effort or perform a particular behavior 

Determinants of intention for TPB

Attitude, Subjective norms, Perceived behavioral control

Limitations for TPB

Explains 46% of the variance in exercise intentions. Can only explain about 25% of the variance in exercise behavior. Cannot explain why so many people fail to follow through on their good intentions to exercise

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

The idea that the quality or type of a person’s motivation is key to determining whether the person will engage in a particular behavior

Types of motivation for SDT

Extrinsic: motivated to achieve an outcome, Intrinsic: motivated because the activity itself is inherently satisfying, Amotivation: does not have any motivation to engage in exercise or thinks about it

Basic psychological needs for SDT

Autonomy: decisions based on your own values, Competence: ability to apply skills, knowledge, and behaviors to perform tasks, Relatedness: relating to something in the exercise

Social context for SDT

Fulfillment of the basic psychological needs depends on characteristics of the social environment/context in which the exercise takes place (enjoying exercising with others)