An exploratory study of the role of cognitive distance in the evolution of vacation choice sets /

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ankomah, Paul K., 1954-
Other Authors: Sell, Jane A. (degree committee member.), Stewart, William P. (degree committee member.), Van Doren, Carlton S. (degree committee member.)
Format: Thesis Book
Language:English
Published: 1991.
Subjects:
Online Access:Link to OAKTrust copy
Description
Abstract:The objective of this study was to explore the role of cognitive distance in the evolution of vacation choice sets. It was proposed that respondents' mental organization of spatial information into three distinct superordinate hierarchical clusters (within, adjacent and non-adjacent clusters) influenced their cognitive distance estimates. It was also proposed that cognitive distance played a role in respondents' categorizing destinations into the choice sets of evoked, inert and inept sets. A sample of 289 residents of College Station, Texas completed a mail survey instrument that elicited information about cognitive distance and choice sets. Information that described respondents' travel patterns in the last 12 months preceding the study was also collected. The subsequent data analysis indicated that distance was the most important factor in respondents' choice of driving vacation destinations. However, the proposition that cognitive distance distortions were related to mental organization of spatial information into three distinct hierarchical clusters was not supported. Also, support was not found for the proposition that cognitive distance influenced destinations in the evoked and inert choice sets. Support was, however, found for the proposition that cognitive distance influenced destinations in the inept set and action subset of the evoked set.
Item Description:Typescript (photocopy).
Vita.
"Major subject: Recreation and Resources Development."
Physical Description:xi, 221 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references.