KINES 497C: Exercise Psychology

KINES 497C: Exercise Psychology Department of Kinesiology The Pennsylvania State University Spring, 2005 (3 credits) Dr. Danielle Symons Downs Class meeting: Tuesday and Thursday 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 234 ARTS class website: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/d/s/dsd11/ Contact information: Course Professor, Dr. Danielle Symons Downs, Ph.D. 268-Q Recreation Building, 814-863-0456, dsd11@psu.edu Office hours: Tues, Thurs 2:30-3:30 and by appt Course Description Exercise Psychology (KINES 497C) is a lecture and discussion format where student participation is required. The course content will cover selected topics in exercise psychology including exercise and mood, personality traits, measuring physical activity, group dynamics, environmental correlates, theoretical models of exercise, and intervention strategies. This course is designed to provide students with an overview and understanding of the theoretical foundations of exercise psychology, current research applications, and implications for practitioners. Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in selected areas within exercise psychology through class discussions and assignments. Course Objectives The objective of this course is to familiarize the student with the science and practice of exercise psychology from both a theoretical and applied perspective. To achieve this objective, the student will: (a) obtain a general understanding of the practical, theoretical, and research issues in exercise psychology, (b) acquire skills and knowledge to critically evaluate research in the exercise psychology domain, and (c) develop practical skills to promote exercise adherence and design exercise intervention programs. Course Materials There is one required text for this course: (a) The Psychology of Exercise: Integrating Theory and Practice by Lox, Martin, and Petruzzello (2003; ISBN#1-890871-47-8). Two additional suggested readings are: Carron, Hausenblas, and Estabrooks (2003; McGraw-Hill; ISBN# 0-07-248901-4) and Motivating People to be Physically Active by Marcus and Forsyth (2003; Human Kinetics; ISBN# 0-7360-4064-1). In addition, selected journal articles and book chapters will be made available on the library s electronic reserve website. You can access this site and download the articles/chapters for no cost directly through the library s website (http://libraries.psu.edu/). Note: these readings are designed to supplement the required textbook and facilitate the students understanding of the course material. Students are expected to download and read these assigned readings (along with the assigned textbook chapters) prior to class. Course Format Most of the class meetings will be devoted to lectures and class discussion. Lectures will be conducted with power point or in round-table class discussion. It is expected that students will take their own notes during class, and they are responsible for obtaining any missed class notes. The student is expected to be familiar with the lecture materials PRIOR to each class in order to provide considerable insight into class 1

discussions. Occasionally, guest speakers or video tapes may be used during class to provide students with a better understanding of the course topics. Attendance is not mandatory for this course. However, random assignments and pop quizzes will be given during class and these will account for 10% of the student s final grade. Thus, students are expected to attend all class lectures. Examination review guides will be provided for the student on the class webpage, and they will be posted at least 1-week prior to the examination. Note. Students who have used Nittany Notes as a substitute for taking their own notes in class have traditionally not performed as well in Kinesiology courses as students who take their own notes. Lesson plan content with this professor is updated each semester as a part of continuous quality improvement and to provide students with information about cutting-edge research in exercise psychology. Students who rely on notes from previous semesters or previous professors do so at their own risk. Course Evaluation & Grading Assignment Grading My Grades Three in-class examinations 600 points total (65%) Exam #1 /200 Exam #2 /200 Field assignments reports & presentations 150 points total (15%) Exam #3 /250 Field Assign #1 _/50 Field Assign #2 _/50 Group Presentation 100 points (10%) Random in-class pop quizzes and written assignments Extra credit _/20 100 points (10%) (drop lowest 2 quiz grades) Field Assign #3 _/50 _/100 (use X to track completed quizzes) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Q12 Total Grade /1000 points = % = A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F Grading Scale Final Letter grades will be determined using the scale below. Because extra-credit opportunities will be available over the course of the semester, no final grade curves or sliding scales will be implemented. There are no exceptions! The professor strongly recommends that the student take advantage of these extra-credit opportunities as the extra points may assist with adding a maximum of 2% to his or her final grade (i.e., taking advantage of the extra credit could make the difference between an A- and an A or a C and a D). A 93.00 and higher B 83.00-86.99 C 70.00-76.99 A- 90.00-92.99 B- 80.00-82.99 D 60.00-69.99 B+ 87.00-89.99 C+ 77.00-79.99 F 59.99 and below 2

Note. The professor encourages the students to keep up to date on their grades (see above for the grading chart to keep track of class grades). Also, the professor will discuss a student s grade with him or her, however: (a) grade discussion will occur via appointment during office consultation and will not occur via email, and (b) a student s grade will not be changed on any assignment, nor will his or her final grade be adjusted unless justifiably warranted (i.e., error in grading). Finally, grade adjustments (e.g., poorly worded item on an examination, extra-credit) will occur at the professor s discretion. Examinations Make-up examinations are NOT given! If the student absolutely cannot be in class when an exam is scheduled, it is the student s responsibility to contact the professor at least 1-week prior to the scheduled exam with valid documentation for missing the exam. If the student is missing a scheduled exam due to a university-scheduled event, the student must provide the professor with documentation from a university faculty or staff member (i.e., written documentation on university letterhead signed by the faculty/staff member) 1-week prior to the exam. Failure to provide documentation prior to the exam will result in a zero. If the student is missing a scheduled exam due to a personal event, valid documentation must be provided (i.e., written documentation: doctor/parent, plane ticket, court subpoena) 1-week prior to the exam. Emails are NOT acceptable. If an examination is missed for any other reason, it is the student s responsibility to get in touch with the professor within 24 hours of the missed exam or a grade of zero will be automatically given for the examination. Make-up pop quizzes are NOT given! Consequently, the student will be able to drop the lowest 2 grades. See above for valid documentation exceptions. Field Assignments Three field assignments designed to improve the students understanding and application of current topics in exercise psychology will be required. A perfect score on these field assignments will be very difficult to achieve and will be given only to outstanding assignments. Below is a brief description of these assignments the full assignments are posted on the class website for download. Assignment #1: Physical activity observation and tracking You will be required to: (a) observe another student in this class as they engage in structured exercise behavior for 30 minutes; (b) track your own physical activities for 2 days; and (c) discuss (in a 2-3 page double-spaced typed report) the advantages and disadvantages of exercise measurement and physical activity tracking based on your knowledge of these topics and your personal experiences with (a) and (b). Assignment #2: Physical Activity, Personality, and Mood You will be required to: (a) take and score the NEO-PI a personality assessment and take the Exercise Induced Feeling Inventory (EFI) PRIOR TO engaging in 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous structured and continuous exercise (e.g., running, biking, swimming, etc); (b) record your feeling states both pre- and postexercise using the EFI; (c) interview two other people that you know about their personality and mood states related to their exercise habits; and (d) discuss (in a 2-3 page double-spaced report) your personality profile and feeling states from pre- to post-exercise, as well as your interview responses by incorporating your personal experience, your exercise intensity, and the lecture/text notes on exercise and mood. Assignment #3: Body Image and Exercise Dependence You will be required to: (a) take the Exercise Dependence Scale, Drive for Thinness Subscale, and the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire; (b) administer these scales to two people that you know; (c) discuss the scale items with your participants; (d) score the questionnaires; and (d) prepare a 2-3 page report comparing and contrasting your findings and your participants findings and incorporating information from the text, class discussion, and your personal experience. 3

Group Presentation The purpose of the group presentation is to discuss research related to physical activity interventions and current issues in exercise psychology. Groups of 3-5 students will obtain articles (i.e., at least 1 article per student) on recent intervention studies (i.e., 2002 to date) on the chosen topic. Each student will present to the class (10-15 min max) using Power Point. Students will: (a) discuss the study purpose, design, methodology, and results; (b) provide the class with a handout of the study content; and (c) generate class discussion about the article preparing at least 2 thought-provoking questions. Students may submit their presentation, handout, and questions via email to the professor at least 2 class periods before the presentation for feedback. Students must be in class on the day of their presentation to receive credit. No make-ups will be allowed without proper documentation for absence. Academic Honesty The student is expected to act in accordance with The Pennsylvania State University guidelines for academic integrity and the University s Code of Conduct. In short, cheating on examinations, pop quizzes, and class assignments will not be tolerated. Any student found not obeying the principles outlined in the Code of Conduct (e.g., found cheating on class assignments, pop quizzes, or examinations) will be dealt with according to the University s policy. Note. Guidelines for academic integrity: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. The University s Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts (http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/47-00.html). Students with Disabilities It is the student s responsibility to inform the professor of any type of limitation (e.g., physical, psychological, academic, etc.) relevant to his or her participation and grading in KINES 420. The student must inform the professor within the first week of the onset of the semester in order for the accommodations to be made for lecture notes, examinations, class participation, and assignments. The student will receive the appropriate accommodations from the day that he or she provides the professor with documentation, and it will not be applied retrospectively (e.g., after an examination). Course Contract Every student is responsible for complying with the terms outlined in this syllabus. Students without a signed course contract (see page 6) on file with the professor by the end of the semester will NOT receive a grade for the course (i.e., an incomplete [I] will be recorded until a signed contract is on file). Office Consultation Students wishing to meet with the professor outside of normal class or office hours (and immediately after class) should make an appointment with the professor via email at dsd11@psu.edu. The professor will make every effort to respond to an email within 24 hours. If the professor does not respond within 24 hours, it is likely that the email was not received. It is the student s responsibility to contact the professor. Also, if a student wishes to discuss his or her grade on an examination, quiz, or class assignment, he or she must do so during office consultation. However, the student is responsible for keeping track of his or her grade (see class website and page 2 of syllabus to track grade). 4

KINES 497C: Exercise Psychology Tentative Course Outline Dr. Danielle Symons Downs, Spring, 2005 Week Date Course Protocol Assigned readings 1 1/11/05 First day of class; review syllabus; intro of exercise psych Chapter 1 1/13/05 Physical Activity Epidemiology Chapter 2 2 1/18/05 Measuring Physical Activity Lecture Only 1/20/05 No Class Meet with Classmate for Field Assmt #1 3 1/25/05 Physical Activity and Personality; Syllabus Contract Due Chapter 6 1/27/05 Personality (cont); Field Assignment #1 Due 4 2/1/05 Physical Activity and Mood Chapter 9 2/3/05 Physical Activity and Depression/Anxiety Chapters 7 & 8 5 2/8/05 Group Presentation #1: PA Interventions & Anxiety/Depression 2/10/05 Guest Speaker TBA; Review for Exam #1 6 2/15/05 Examination #1 2/17/05 Health-Related Quality of Life Chapter 11 7 2/22/05 Theories & Models of Exercise Behavior Chapter 3 & 4 2/24/05 Theories (cont) 8 3/1/05 Group Presentation #2: PA Interventions Using SCT 3/3/05 Group Presentation #3: PA Interventions Using TTM 9 3/8/05 Spring Break No class 3/10/05 Spring Break No class 10 3/15/05 Body Image Chapter 13 3/17/05 Body Image (Cont); Field Assignment #2 Due 11 3/22/05 Exercise Dependence Symptoms; Review for Exam #2 Chapter 9 & Hausenblas & Symons Downs (2002) 3/24/05 Examination #2 12 3/29/05 Exercise Dependence (cont) 3/31/05 Group Presentation #4: PA Interventions Improving Body Image 13 4/5/05 Social Influences on Exercise Chapter 12 4/7/05 Physical Activity and Special Populations Lecture Only 14 4/12/05 Special Populations (Cont) 4/14/05 Childhood Inactivity & Obesity Lecture Only 15 4/19/05 Childhood Inactivity (cont); Review for Exam #3 4/21/05 Examination #3 16 4/26/05 Group Presentation #5: PA Interventions Targeting Youth Physical Activity/Obesity 4/28/05 Group Presentation #6: PA Interventions Targeting Youth Physical Activity/Obesity Field Assignment #3 Due Notes. Course outline is subject to change at the professor s discretion. Exam dates will be confirmed 1-week prior to the exam. Additional readings may be assigned by the professor. 5

KINES 497C: Exercise Psychology Course Contract, Spring 2005 Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University Dr. Danielle Symons Downs I, (print name clearly) have read and understand the syllabus for KINES 497C: Exercise Psychology for the Spring 2005 semester with Dr. Danielle Symons Downs as the professor. A checkmark in the space provided before each statement indicates that I have read and understand each of the following statements: (1). My grade in this course will be determined by: (a) three examinations weighted at 65%, (b) field assignments for 15%, (c) group presentation for 10%, and (d) random pop quizzes for 10%. Also, I may earn up to 20 points in extra-credit over the semester. (2). My final grade will be based on the grade distribution on page #2 of the course syllabus. I understand that no exceptions to this grade distribution will be made. (3). I have read and understand the examination and pop quiz policy and I understand there are no makeup examinations, pop quizzes, or pop quiz assignments. I understand that if I will miss an examination or pop quiz assignment for a university-scheduled or personal event, I must provide documentation of my absence to the professor at least 1-week prior to the missed exam/quiz. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero. (4). I understand that in the event that I miss an examination without being able to give the professor advanced notice, I need to contact the professor within 24 hours of the missed exam. (5). I have read the tentative course outline, and I understand that the lectures are subject to change at the professor s discretion. (6). I have read and understand the academic integrity policy, and I am aware of the consequences of violating The Pennsylvania State University s policy. More specifically, I understand that cheating on examinations, quizzes, and class assignments is not tolerated as listed in The University Faculty Senate Polices for Students statement on academic integrity (#49-20). If such a violation occurs, I understand that I may have my test/quiz/assignment confiscated, I may be penalized up to the extent of being given an F for the course (not just the test) and I may be referred to Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action. Cheating on class assignments includes plagiarism, unauthorized collusion, furnishing false information, copying any part of another student s work, and forgery among other violations. Refer to The University Faculty Senate Polices for Students for further information. If I commit any of these violations, I understand that I may be penalized up to the extent of being given an F for the course (not just for the assignment) and I may be referred to Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action. (7). I have read and understand the policy for discussing my grade with the professor. (8). I understand that the following statement must be written and signed at the end of every exam, pop quiz, and written assignment: I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this [examination, pop quiz, class assignment], nor have I concealed any observed cheating. Note. The professor will not be obligated to grade any student s work if this honor statement is not signed and dated properly. (9). I am aware that a signed copy of this syllabus is due by January 25 th and if the professor does not have my course contract on file by the end of the semester, I will receive a grade of I [incomplete] until a copy of this contract is on file with the professor. Name (print): Date: Signature: Contact Phone: (area code: ) _ Email (distinguish among 1 s, L s, 0 s, and O s) @ 6