Part I
The study carried out by Plante et al was experimental research. This can be realized from the manner in which it was planned and the methodology used. According to Plante et al (198), the study was set up in two experimental groups. The participants actually had to engage in a physical activity though they were divided into different groups. They had to exercise in different environmental and social conditions. The factors were varied so as to give an experimental significance. There are implications for drawing causal conclusions. By varying the conditions in which the participants were exercising, it was much easier to note the differences brought about by the changes and make conclusions based on the same.
The population of interest was undergraduate students at Santa Clara University which is a Jesuit Catholic Liberal Arts College found in San Francisco Bay Area (Plante et al 200). The sample was randomly selected from the general population and was recruited into the study. There are no issues in generalizing the findings since the sample was large enough and, therefore, could be a good representation of the entire population. The findings were not just restricted to the institution but could apply to the general population. The sample was also a representative of the general population since the students at the institution came from different backgrounds and met at the institution.
There are tow main methods of data collection (Plante 201). One of them was a questionnaire where the participants filled in some of their feelings about the exercise and the conditions. This could help to assess some factors such as enjoyment and calmness rates. Other scales were used to assess other factors. These included measures of deactivation adjective, perceived exertion scale, paces enjoyment scale and other likert scales developed by the researchers for the exercise. These were quite effective for this nature of a study.
The research involved various variables. The independent variables were the exercising environment which was either indoors or outdoors. The kind of music played was also independent as it was not affected by the exercise. The dependent variables were levels of calmness, enjoyment, relaxation and stress that the students experienced when taking the exercise. These were determined by the nature of music and the environment that an individual exercised in.
There some internal validity issues that were mentioned in the study. Plante et al (207) observe that some of the students who exercised indoors felt that their exercise was harder, even though it was much similar to those exercising outdoors. This indicates that there could be a possibility of bias related to the participants themselves where they could rate depending on their presumptions rather than the actual effects of the exercise. The sample was also collected from a homogenous, healthy students’ population. This could mean that a different population such as a clinical one might yield different results. This was one of the external factors of validity.
Ethical issues were involved in the study. Plante et al (203) have it that before the study, the students were introduced into the research activity and the purposes as well as implications of the study were explained to them. With an understanding of what was to be done, they signed an agreement to participate in the study. As such, it was carried out on the basis of informed consent. The students who participated also received a grade for their psychology class, which was a kind of incentive for participation.
The article generally looks at most of the aspects that were looked at in the course textbook. It focuses mostly on the correlation and causation factor in which the study looks at the effects of music and social interactions on the psychological impact during exercise. However, it fails to consider the aspect of ruling out rival hypothesis (Author 184) which could as well explain the psychological impacts observed in the participating sample.
Part II
Health Organization is one of the popular sites which advise people on different aspects of life. It gives details on how people can escape some of the stressing situations of life and also gives them tips on how to handle different life situations, even hose which appear to be quite unachievable. In line with the topic of discussion, the Help Guide (1) looked at the easy exercise steps and the manner in which every day exercise can be made simple. This was very closely related to the study carried out by Plante et al since it sought to look at how exercise can be made less tiring and less stressful.
Help Guide (1) also has some section related to exercise which are closely correlated to Palnte’s argument. This is where it talks about ways of making exercise more of an interesting activity to get involved in. the argument is that exercise should be psychologically satisfying and less stressing. In the article, the issue of socialization and music features prominently as well.
In making exercise fun, Help Guide (1) suggests two things; one of them is pairing the exercise activity with an activity that an individual enjoys. These activities can include dancing or yoga, listening to favorite music and dancing to the beats, enjoying outdoor activities, pairing with a friend and working out together or watching a favorite TV show when exercising. In all these activities, it can be seen that music plays a major role in making the activity more enjoyable. This is just as suggested by Plante et al (203). Help Guide (1) has it that by making the exercise more of fun, there is less psychological stress or fatigue. It also agrees with Plante’s argument that outdoor activities are more enjoyable. That is why the site recommends that exercising can be made more of fun by engaging in outdoor activities. In this sense, the article seems to full agree with the findings of the article discussed above.
Another point of agreement between the article and the site is on the social aspect in exercising. Hel Guide (1) states that in order to make exercising more of fun, it would be advisable to turn it into a social activity. The argument is that a partner who is close and one whom an individual is comfortable with can be a good exercise partner as the friend acts as a motivator. This is also as observed by Plante et al who agree that people who exercise with friends who are close to them tend to enjoy the activity more. As such, the findings between the two tend to agree quite well. An interesting thing is that Help Guide (1) indicates that when an individual exercises with a friend, there is the possibility of competition between the two. This makes it a bit more tiring as the individuals try to outdo each other. This is the same phenomenon that was observed by Plante et al (205) who argued that people, who exercised outdoors with friends tended to get more tired. However, there was no explanation as to why this is the case. The explanation is as given by Help Guide; there exists a kind of competition when individuals exercise with friends and this could account for the extra tiredness.
In general, it can be argued that the findings by Help Guide are complementary to those of the study carried out by Plante et al. the article also gives a good correlation between exercising, music and psychological or mental well being. It categorically asserts that music and social aspects play a major role in making exercising more enjoyable. It has great resemblance to the article and the argument presented in the course text. However, the article fails to rule out the rival hypotheses as to what can make exercise more enjoyable. The article also fails to mention some of the extraordinary claims that are associated with music and exercise such as the argument that the exercising can lead to healing of some conditions or pain relief. It remains objective and focused on the role of music and social aspects as a positive influence on exercise and the psychological well being of an individual. As such, it can be argued that the article acts as a rubber stamp to Plante’s study.
Works Cited
Author. Chapter 4: New Frontiers Feature on the Study of Music. P. 184.
Help Guide. “Easy Exercises: Making Exercise Part of Your Every Day Life.” Helpguide.org, 2012. Web. 10th Nov. 2012, http://www.helpguide.org/life/exercise.htm
Plante, Thomas G. et al. “Exercising with an iPod, Friend, or Neither: Which is Better for Psychological Benefits?” American Journal of Health Behavior, 2011. 35: 199-208. (Attached).
