Psychological Aspects The Natural Environment

Here we go again?So what is leisure?

Perceived freedomDeals with psychological aspects

A person does what she/he does because of a sense of freedom

Psychological Aspects

Autotelic ActivitiesActivities that are meaningful in and by themselves (the activity has inherent meaning)

Does greater freedom lead to greater leisure?

Psychological Aspects

Beneficial outcomeRecreation Experience Preference Scale (REP)

The reason one participates in an activity is for the positively valued benefit.

• Seeking/escaping

• Companionship

• Physical fitness

• Etc.

Psychological Aspects

Personality“continuous dimensions on which individual differences can be observed”

In other words, a persons personality may influence their leisure choices

Personality along a continuum

Thrill Seeking

Predictability

Psychological Aspects

Type T personalityThrill seekers

Have a low physiological arousability

In other words, it takes a lot to get them excited

Will seek high levels or stimulus

Small t personalityPolar opposite of Type T

Are easily stimulated and do not need high levels of stimulation.

Personality Traits

Driver and Knopf (1977)Personality Research Forum

• Personality traits probably influence choice of leisure activity

• Personality variables are related to the amount of leisure participation in a certain activity an individual has

• Personality traits do influence how important certain types of outcomes are for a particular recreator

Environmental Factors

Experimental aestheticsStructural or organizational qualities of the natural environment

• How are things arranged

• How neat are they packaged

• How much arousal does a particular environment evoke?

Environmental Cognition

How is the environment perceived?Environment is a source of information not just stimulation?

Prospect Refuge

What can this environment tell me?• Does it contain certain aspects that I find desirable

Too many people Not enough people Too many scary critters

Behavioral Ecology

How do people behave in environments?Social

Environmental

Work

Kaplan and Kaplan

The Experience of NatureWhat is really going on?

Why are we drawn to nature?

How do we interpret the environment• Prospect/Refuge

How do we process the environment?

Information RateHow much information we can ascertain from a given environment

In a crowded area, there is a lot going on

In a the natural environment, the information rate slows down.

Environmental Preference

In the context of natural settings, those with human intrusions are less preferred than those where nature dominates

In the wild, we don’t like to see human things!!

Humans respond negatively to both high and low information environments

Wilderness again!!

Humans used to see wilderness as a challenge (mainly for survival)

Now it is seen as a challenge recreationally

Quest for serenity?At what point does wilderness travel/experience become tranquil or serene?

Motivation stuff

What motivates an individual to participate in a certain activity?

Needsor

Motive

Behavioror

Activity

Goalsor

Satisfaction

Feedback

Motivation stuff

Instinct:The capability to act so as to bring about a certain event

But can instinct be attributed to outdoor recreation behavior?

Surplus energy

Relaxation theory

Teological theory

Recapitulation theory

Motivation stuff

DriveThe attempt to reduce certain needs

Primary needs:• Those necessary for survival

Secondary needs• Those needs which stem from the primary needs

So what about leisure needs?Seeking/escaping, physical exercise etc.

Motivation stuff

So what is the purpose in outdoor recreation?

Relaxation?

Catharsis?

Stimulation?

Leisure needs

So, what is a leisure needEver changing

Involves change across situations under which needs change from before and after participation

It is highly individualized (dependent on the person and time)

Physiological needs

Safety needs

Belongingness and love needs

Esteem needs

Aesthetic/cognitive needs

Self-actualization

Maslow

Maslow

So what does this tell us about wilderness activities

Answer, NOT MUCH!

Why do we study it?Because we are supposed to!

Socialization

Process by which the culture of the community and/or society is instilled in the individual

Socialization into leisure

Socialization through leisure

Socialization

When does socialization occur?Participation as a child

As an adult?

Who socializes?Family

Friends

School

SocializationPrimary Groups

DyadsFamilyPeers

Secondary GroupsSchoolYouth Groups

• YMCA• BSA, Girl Scouts

Adult Groups• Elderhostel• Clubs

Demographic Variables

Life Course

Gender

Occupation

Residence

Race/Ethnicity

Life Course

Youth

Adulthood

Elderly

Leisure Participation

Iso-Ahola

Leisure & Age groups

Preparation phase (birth to early 20’s)Marked by a need to explore & become who we will become

Establishment period (early 20’s – mid 40’s)Focus on “amassing things” & establishing ones place in the world

Culmination periodWe reap what we sow

Gender

Gender differences are narrowing, but still existBoys play rougher than girls

Biological or societal?

Males spend over 6 hours on sportsFemales spend ½ that amount of timeFemales still expected to keep things okay at home

Occupation

1. Manual labor demands more energy2. White collar families have more opportunity to travel3. White collar workers are generally more educated4. More opportunity for leisure in white collar job5. Leisure assumes some form of status

Residence

Urban male is more likely to seek solitude than rural counterpart

Seeking/escaping

Urban dwellers were more active than rural residents

Demographics cont1. Active participation in outdoor recreation decreases with age2. Greater participation is witnessed with higher income3. Varied participation increases with higher occupational prestige4. More participation is observed among rural residents5. Less participation is seem by families with small children

Leisure and Ethnicity

Ones ancestral identityBlacks

Latinos

Asians

Native Americans

There is a difference in leisure based on ethnicityLatinos in Urban Proximate parks

• Large family gatherings

Life Style (Need Driven)

Survivor Life-StylePoverty

Barely Getting by

Passive recreation (TV)

Sustainer Life-StyleEdge of poverty

Attend spectator sports

TV

X-Rated movies (?)

Life Style (Outer-Directed)Belonger Life Style

Middle classAt home activitiesGardening (TV)

Emulator Life-StyleOver achieversNight ClubsEat out

Achiever Life-StyleDrivenGolf/Traveling for pleasure

Life Style (Inner-Directed)I-am-me Life Style

Inner directed (self-motivated)Backpackingbiking

Experiential Life-StyleSeek direct and vivid experiencesWell EducatedMovies/backpacking, hiking/biking

Special PopulationsPersons with disabilities

Physically challengedMentally Challenged/Ill

Socially DeviantWilderness Therapy programsAdjudicated youth

ElderlyElderhostel'sLess able to perform certain activities

Show me the money!!

Are we a consumptive society as a whole?We don’t have many need deprivations and therefore can “consume” other wants

2/3 of the American output consists of goods and services to be consumed by individuals, households or groups

Show me the money!!

Leisure became a major component of the economic system because

Productivity

Increased income

Increased free time• High level of mobility (especially in the generation

X)

Where do we spend our dollars?

Recreation supplies and equipment

Travel and Vacation businesses

Sport and Outdoor Recreation

Cultural Activities

Home expenditures

Governmental Expenditures

Federal LevelDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of the Interior

State LevelNearly $1 billion spent by states on outdoor recreation

LocalBetween 2.3 & 3.7% of budget on outdoor rec

And now for the economics part

It is estimated that private recreation businesses provide nearly seven (7) percent of the total employment in the U.S.

Economic Models

Visitors Demand

Recreational resources Supply

Plans and Policies Pricing

Tool for implementationManagement

Classifying resources(Clausen & Knetsch) 1966

Resource-based areasLarge, remote natural areas

Intermediate areasBetween resource-based areas and user-oriented areas

County and state parks (etc.)

User-oriented areasAreas that are relatively close to urban areas and accessible (playgrounds, urban parks)

The World Conservation Union (IUCN)

Category Ia: Strict nature reserve (protected area managed maily for science)Category Ib: Wilderness area (protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection)Category II: National park (protected area managed maily for ecosysten protection and recreation)

Federal Resources for Recreation

Department of the InteriorNational Park Service

• (organic act of 1916 established the NPS

Many classifications within the park system

About 84 million acres of land

Federal Resources for Recreation

National Wilderness Preservation system

Wilderness Act of 1964

Wilderness definedHumans are visitors

Outstanding opportunities for solitude and unconfined recreation

Federal Resources for Recreation

National Wilderness Preservation systemNearly 650 units in the systemAbout 105 million acres

Who manages the Wilderness?NPS 42%Forest Service 33%Fish & Wildlife 20%BLM 5%

Federal Resources for RecreationWild and Scenic Rivers System

Wild rivers• Little evidence of human presence• Generally accessible by trail only

Scenic Rivers• Relatively primitive shorelines• Largely undeveloped• Accessible by roads and planes

Recreational rivers• More development• May have been dammed

Federal Resources for Recreation

National Scenic Trail

Americas National Scenic trailsPage 162

Federal Resources for Recreation

U.S. Fish & WildlifeProtect, conserve and enhance the fish & wildlife and their habitat for the continued benefit of people

National Wildlife Refuge Systems• A network of federal lands managed specifically for

wildlife

Federal Resources for Recreation

Department of Defense

U.S. Corps of EngineersMaintain more than 12,000 miles of inland waterways

One of the largest providers of water based recreation in America

State Resource and Recreation

Most states have similar agencies as the federal government and provide similar outdoor recreation opportunities

The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution“the states rights”

Clarified the role of the state vis-à-vis the role of the federal government in providing services to its residents

• In other words, it gave the states the right to provide services the federal government does not

State Functions and RecreationEnactment of Permissive legislation

Permissive legislation that allows local public bodies to finance and operate servicesFirst enabling act in recreation was passed in 1919 in New Jersey

Service to Local Recreation authoritiesDepartments or offices to administer recreation services

Provision of areas, facilities and programsApproximately 6% as much land as the federal governmentHowever, it is often closer to the population

State Functions and RecreationManagement of Plants and Wildlife

Protecting rare/endangered species of plan and animalOften times with help from federal government

Research and EducationSocial research (that would be me!!!)Scientific research (on habitat, critters, etc)

Promotion of TourismLeading business for some states (Colorado)

Standards and RegulationsEstablishment of regulations to protect recreation participants and resources

Cooperation with federal agenciesWorking directly with sister agencies at the federal level

State Parks

Really started in 1921 by the Federal Government’s desire for states to start their own systems

All states now have some form of State Park system

State comprehensive recreation plan

State Forests

Only 4 states do not have state forestsKansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska

Recreation is now a big part of state forests, but originally was not a consideration

Other agencies

Nature Preserves

Fish and Wildlife areas

Total Acreage of outdoor resources by stateTable 8.3 (pg 190)

Total expenditures by state Table 8.4 (pg 192)

Tennessee’s Comprehensive Recreation Plan

Local Resources and Recreation

Common gardensEstablished for the good of the people

• Multiple use

• What about conflicting uses?

Tragedy of the commons

Local Resources and RecreationEnabling Laws

States giving local governments the ability (right) to provide servicesAuthorization for local governments to exercise certain powersTo establish a board or agency to administer the powers grantedJoint jurisdiction by multiple agencies (related to park administration)Financing options (grants, bonds, referendums)

States of Park Development

Utilization

Management

Problems

Protection

From

inroads

Planning and

development

Awareness of

the need for

Open space

Action to convert

Land or preserve

Remaining land

Forms of Local County Government

Commission FormMost dominant form used today

Governing body elected & fulfills both executive and legislative function

Supervisor FormGenerally governing body is made up of persons who were first elected as township supervisors

Executive FormCounty manager who reports to the county board.

Forms of Local City Government

Mayor-Council TypeMost common and oldest

Voters vote for a mayor & by wards (districts) for council

CommissionVoters at large vote for the commission which performs both legislative and executive functions

Council-ManagerDon’t worry about it

Functions of Local Boards/Commissions

1. Approves the acts of the departments under its jurisdiction

2. Acts a court of final appeal

3. Advises the superintendent on problems of administration

4. Interprets the department and the general operation of the system to the public

Functions of Local Boards/Commissions

5. Represents the General Public

6. Represents the department at official occasions

7. Negotiates advantages for the department

8. Appoints standing and ad hoc committees

9. Separates managerial from policy-making activities.

Satisfaction

Satisfaction: ”the fulfillment of a need, desire, or appetite”

Leisure satisfaction:Derives from an activity which is perceived as intrinsically motivated because of a person’s need to feel a sense of personal causation in his or her action”

What is that supposed to mean?

Satisfaction

Leisure satisfaction:Is what every you are doing getting you what you need (either felt or expressed)?

How much does leisure satisfaction affect life satisfaction?

Chapter 9 Partnerships

Partnerships involve cooperation among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and/or private sector enterprises.

Mechanisms involve long-term binding contracts, cooperative agreements, and other agreements among partners.

Roles for each partner Public sector land management agency

Provides expertise, authority, and actual outdoor recreation settings. The public agency can also provide funding and other resources in many cases.

Nonprofit volunteer organization Provides volunteers, resources, expertise, and

political support Private sector sponsor

Provides funding, other resources, expertise, political support and people

Classic partnership

Characteristics of Successful Partnerships Broad based participation

Involve entire organizations and individuals from these organizations

Clearly identified roles for all partners Ensures everyone knows their part in the mix

Written agreement Formalizing the partnership relationship assures

there is no confusion about who is responsible for what

Delegation of responsibility to partners Having meaningful responsibilities for each partner.

Examples of partnerships

Appalachian Trail (Appalachian Trail Conference, ATC)

.