Interactive-Virtual Reality (IVR) Exercise: An Examination of In-Task and Pre-to-Post Exercise Affective Changes

In this research, we examine the influence of imposed vs. self-chosen interactive/virtual reality (IVR) exercise on affect response following, as well as during, exercise. Our sample included 131 university students who were assigned to one of three 10-min conditions: (a) self-selected interactive/virtual reality (IVR) exercise, (b) externally imposed IVR exercise, or (c) regular exercise. Exercise intensity was standardized in terms of metabolic benchmarks. Mood benefits were observed pre-to-post exercise regardless of condition. During exercise, however, higher pleasure ratings were reported by participants in the self-selected IVR exercise condition. The implications of the immediate mood effects of self-selected IVR exercise are discussed.     

Sex Differences in Vigilance Performance and Perceived Workload

Female and male subjects monitored the repetitive presentation of a pair of lines for occasional changes in height (spatial task) or duration (temporal task). Perceptual sensitivity for critical signals favored men in the spatial task, whereas no sex differences in signal detectability existed in the temporal task. Measurements of perceived workload using the NASA-TLX scale mirrored these performance effects. Women tended to rate the overall workload associated with the spatial task to be greater in comparison with men. In addition, women found the spatial task to be significantly more frustrating, mentally demanding, and effortful than men did and rated their own performance lower than their male counterparts did. In contrast, no sex-linked differences in perceived workload were noted in regard to the temporal task. The results support the suggestion by Dittmar, Warm, and Dember (1987) that sex differences in sustained attention are task specific.     

Book Notes

Abstract

Identification of Book Reviewers for this Number. William H. Cole is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biology in Clark Chris.

Anfänge der Reifezeit. By William Stern. Leipzig, Quelle & Meyer. 1925, pp. 125.

Mental Hygiene as Taught by Jesus. By Alexander B. MacLeod. New York, The Macmillan Company. 1925, pp. 138.

The Nature of Intelligence and the Principles of Cognition. By Charles E. Spearman. London, Macmillan and Co., Ltd. 1923, pp. viii+358.

Genetic Studies of Genius. By Lewis M. Terman et Al. California, Stanford University Press. 1925, pp. xv+648.

Principles of Psychotherapy. By Dr. Pierre Janet. New York, The Macmillan Company. 1924, pp. viii+322.

Chimpanzee Intelligence and its Vocal Expressions. by Robert M. Yerkes and Blanche W. Learned. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins Company. 1925, pp. 157.

Neurological Foundations of Animal Behavior. By C. Judson Herrick. New York, Henry Holt and Company. 1924, pp. xii+334.

Physiological Foundations of Behavior. By Charles M. Child. New York, Henry Holt and Company. 1924, pp. v+330.

The Field of Psychology. By Madison Bentley. New York, D. Appleton and Company, 1925. pp. xvi+545.

Experience and Nature. By John Dewey. Chicago, Open Court Publishing Company. 1925, pp. xi+443.

Abnormal Psychology and Education. By Frank Watts. New York, D. Appleton and Company. 1924, pp. xiv+220.

Psychology for Child Training. By Arland D. Weeks. New York, D. Appleton and Company. 1925, pp. xi+312.

Animals Looking Into the Future. By William A. Kepner. New York, The Macmillan Company. 1925, 197 pp.