Depreciative behavior in outdoor recreation settings : an experimental application of prosocial behavior theory /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1990.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The purposes of this study were: 1) to describe a basis for indirect management based on prosocial behavior theory; 2) to test whether or not "awareness-of-consequences" and "implied sanction" information activate intentions to not act in prosocial manner; and 3) to test how individual differences in levels of social responsibility affect behavioral intentions in outdoor recreation settings. In this research, Schwartz's norm-activation model was applied to explain the theoretical background of effectiveness of communication strategies. During Spring Semester, 1990, 340 undergraduate students at Texas A&M University completed a condensed version of Perloe's "Social Values Questionnaire." Scores on this questionnaire were used to classify students as being high or low on the general personality trait of social responsibility. Two weeks later, in a laboratory follow-up test, a "Social Dilemma Questionnaire" was completed by 80 of the original 340 subjects. This questionnaire measured subjects' intentions to obey or disobey specific regulations in six hypothetical "dilemma" situations in outdoor recreation settings. Twenty subjects received an "awareness-of-consequences" message explaining the reasons for the regulations, while 20 other subjects were threatened with a fine for disobeying the regulations. An additional 20 subjects received both the awareness-of-consequences message and the threatened sanction. The control group of 20 subjects received neither treatment. Results of hypothesis tests showed that "awareness-of-consequences" information was effective in activating intentions to obey regulations. This is consistent with findings from many field experiments. However, the "threatened-sanction" treatment failed to promote intentions toward prosocial behavior. The personal trait of social responsibility was negatively correlated with intentions to disobey regulations. Contrary to predictions, there was no significant interaction effect of social responsibility with awareness-of-consequences information or threatened sanctions. However, there was a tendency in the sample for high social-responsibility subjects to be less likely to intend to behave prosocially when exposed to a threatened sanction. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Recreation and resources development." |
| Physical Description: | xiii, 215 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |