4. The Methods section in this article is pretty challenging because it contains descriptions of complex measures like the visuo-spatial task switch test. Try not to get bogged down in the details of these measures. The important idea here is to understand in general what the four groups were and what variables they tried to measure in each group. This table might help make it clear: Group age VO 2 max BMI switch costs switch RT sedentary 46.92 28.68 27.93 654.3 654.3 aerobic 44.09 45.66 23.78 400.84 489.63 meditation 48.63 41.83 23.3 401.23 477.41 t’ai chi 55.4 34.14 29.3 14.13 453.94

PSY 250 MPW The idea is that each cell in the table could be filled in with their data, so we'd know how, for example, meditators compared to aerobic exercisers in terms of BMI. If you had to summarize the methodology of this study, how would you say it? In other words, what did they do in the study in order to collect their data? 2 points They tested aerobic capacity through measuring each participants VO2 Max through a 1-mile walk. They tested executive attention through a complex visuospatial task switch test, which measured switch RT and switch capacity/percent switch costs. They measured each participants BMI and recorded their BMIs. Through their design of the experiment, the researchers carefully defined groups that could provide data to support/refute their hypotheses. 5. Do you know anyone who meditates or does t’ai chi ? Let's say I know someone who meditates but, in my opinion, she's not very quick mentally. In fact, I've seen her really struggle to follow a conversation and she gets confused easily. Do you think my friend’s mental abilities (or limitations) invalidate or refute the results of this study? 2 points No, because the results of an experiment are supposed to explain the major trend in a relationship. It does not account for every single case, so your friend would be an exception to this trend.