Leisure Definitions
Open pg 29 study guide
Sag 5647
Today…
Recap yesterday
Theoretical perspectives of leisure
Play
 Psychological theories
 Sociological theories
 Social-psychological theories

Recap
Greeks were the thinkers
Romans were the spectators
Chinese were the artists
Leisure – state of mind, free time, activity
Leisure activity

Play, games, sport, recreation
12 characteristics of leisure

Risk, commitment, game, humor, relaxation
A Few Questions…
Which ancient society was responsible
for the growth of music, art & literature
& value harmony & life balance?
A. Greeks
 B. Roman
 C. China
 D. German

A Few Questions…
Which ancient society was responsible
for the growth of music, art & literature
& value harmony & life balance?
A. Greeks
 B. Roman
 C. China
 D. German

A Few Questions…
Which ancient society was responsible
for the growth of facilities used for
entertainment & leisure as a spectacle?
A. Greeks
 B. Roman
 C. China
 D. German

A Few Questions…
Which ancient society was responsible
for the growth facilities used for
entertainment & leisure as a spectacle?
A. Greeks
 B. Roman
 C. China
 D. German

A Few Questions…
When leisure is defined by the meaning
it holds for us, this is what definition of
leisure? We view something as leisure
because we enjoy it
A. Free time
 B. State of Mind
 C. Activity
 D. Game

A Few Questions…
When leisure is defined by the meaning
it holds for us, this is what definition of
leisure? We view something as leisure
because we enjoy it
A. Free time
 B. State of Mind
 C. Activity
 D. Game

A Few Questions…
Which of the following are rule bound,
and there is a mixed level of skill and
chance skills needed for an outcome?
A. Sport
 B. Play
 C. Recreation
 D. Games

A Few Questions…
Which of the following are rule bound,
and there is a mixed level of skill and
chance skills needed for an outcome?
A. Sport
 B. Play
 C. Recreation
 D. Games

Play Theories
Perspectives of Play Theories
Arm Chair Theories
Research based
theories
Developmental &
learning theories
Play Theories
Arm Chair Theories

Based on observations. No research support.

Do not define all play

Early 20th Century

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
Surplus energy
Preparation
Relaxation
Play Theories
Surplus Energy
One of the oldest play theories
 One of the most utilized


When the organism has more energy than
can be stored, it is released in play. Play is
the release of surplus physical energy.
Play Theories
Preparation

Trying out behaviors that will be useful in a
future phase of life. Practice for adult life.
Play Theories
Relaxation

Play as an activity that allows the individual to
recuperate from fatigue and stress. When tired
from work, people play.

Play restores energy

Opposite of surplus energy.
Play Theories
Research based theories

First play theories to utilize research
Still flawed, but laid the groundwork for
more contemporary studies.
Catharsis
 Behavioristic
 Psychoanalytic

Play Theories
Catharsis

Similar to surplus energy except that it focuses on
pent-up emotional energy rather than surplus
physical energy.

Play is a safety valve for the expression of
emotions

Play is a socially acceptable way for someone to
purge themselves of negative feelings or hostilities
Play Theories
Behavioristic

Play is simply a form of learning.

Is connected to stimulus response mechanisms of
human behavior.

Play is pleasurable in that it is reinforced by praise
and recognition, therefore is repeated and
learned.
Play Theories
Psychoanalytic

Viewed many forms of play as symptoms of
psychological illness.

Play repeats an unpleasant experience to reduce
its seriousness or to stimulate control over its
consequences.

The mastering of disturbing events thru play

Basis for using play as therapy
Play Theories
Developmental & learning theories



Self-expression theory
Play as a social necessity
Competence effectance Theory
Play Theories
Self-expression theory



Need to express personalities
Find outlets for energy
Play influenced by environment, family, social
background
Competence effectance Theory



Need to test the environment & solve problems
Gain a sense of competency (mastery) &
accomplishment
Experimentation or information seeking
Play Theories
Many contemporary theories out there.
None of them can truly explain play.
Bottom line – play is outside of ordinary
life. It provides a place for exploration
and enchantment.
Explanations and
Speculations
Situational Factors
Leisure Theory
Situational Factors in
Explaining Leisure Behavior
Demographics
Gender
 Age
 Income
 Education
 Race/ethnicity
 Religion
 Geography

Impacts what,
why & how we
pursue leisure.
How?
Situational Factors in
Explaining Leisure Behavior
Gender




Physical activity
Sport participation
Family centered leisure
Gender expectations
Age


Maturation
Activity choices
Income & Education



$$$
Exposure to different activities
Choices
Situational Factors in
Explaining Leisure Behavior
Race & ethnicity
Religion

Parameters within &
set by church

LDS Family night
Geography
Leisure Theory
Do Leisure Experiences
Questionnaire
Leisure Theory
Systematic observations that relate to a
particular aspect of life
Summarizes existing knowledge
 Explain observed events
 Predict occurrence of unobserved events

Leisure Theory
Multidisciplinary nature of leisure
Psychology
 Sociology
 Social psychology
 …and more

Psychological Theories
Leisure behavior is attributed to self rather
than external forces
Three types of psychology



Behaviorism
Cognitive
Psychodynamic – past experiences, natural
instincts
Theorists

Wilensky, Neulinger, Csikszentmihalyi
Psychological Theories
Wilensky’s (1960) Compensation
Theory- A leisure activity that makes up
for the strenuous day at work.
Deprivation during work is made up for
in an enjoyable leisure activity.
Psychological Theories
Wilensky’s (1960) Spillover Theory

Work will “spill over” into leisure

Workers are thought to participate in
leisure activities that have characteristics
similar to their job-related activities.
Psychological Theories
Wilensky’s (1960) Spillover Theory

Leisure becomes an extension of the skills and
attitudes used at work.

It explains why people who are sedentary at work
are often not interested in physical pastimes.

It explains why those who work indoors might be
uncomfortable in the forest.
Similarities between
Spillover & Compensation
Leisure is explained according to its
relationship to work.
Both depend on whether work is satisfying
and pleasurable.
Both also depend on amount of satisfaction
found in work.
What about unemployed, retired, children?
Psychological Theories
Neulingers’ Paradigm (6 states of mind)
4 factors




Perceived freedom is the primary quality of the leisure
state of mind
Perceived constraint
Intrinsic motivation
Extrinsic motivation
States Of Mind of Leisure
Pure Leisure - 1
Purest form of leisure
Activities chosen for its
own sake
Freedom from external
control and brings intrinsic
rewards
States Of Mind of Leisure
Leisure-Work - 2
Represents a wide range of leisure experiences
The experiences are freely chosen but are both
extrinsically and intrinsically rewarding.
Distinction of this state of mind is a person can
quit when they want to quit

Not a job
States Of Mind of Leisure
Leisure-Job - 3
Type of Leisure without coercion...you
choose it
Satisfaction comes from external payoff


Working out to look better
Playing cards to earn money
Resembles a job because of reward

Not necessarily a monetary reward
States Of Mind of Leisure
Pure Work - 4
Non-leisure state of mind
Perceived constraint & not freedom
Pure work but engrossing
Given a choice, you would not do the work,
but you still find it engrossing


University projects
Volunteer project
States Of Mind of Leisure
Work-Job - 5
Constraint activities - intrinsic and extrinsic
rewards
Awareness of constraints is present
100% NONLESIURE
Work that you like but it is still work
States Of Mind of Leisure
Pure Job - 6
Opposite of Leisure
Activity engaged in constraint
No reward in this
This is the job you take to, “Make a
living”, no other redeeming qualities
Time
Activity
Motivation
Paradigm
Category
10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Noon
1:00 p.m.
Class
Intrinsic & extrinsic
Work-Job
6:00
Movies
Intrinsic
Pure leisure
7:00
Movies
Intrinsic
Pure leisure
8:00
Movies
Intrinsic
Pure leisure
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
9:00
10:00
Psychological Theories
Flow Theory

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

A state of being in which you become so
involved in some activity or experience that
nothing else seems to matter.

Based on challenge and skill
Original Flow Theory
8 Characteristics of Flow
Activity is challenging and
requires skill


Balance between challenge &
skill
Ie. kayaking
Action and Awareness merge


Completely absorbed in activity
Become part of activity itself
Concentration on task at hand


Forget outside issues
Total concentration
Characteristics of Flow
Loss of self-consciousness


Merging of action &
awareness
Not concerned about others
assessment of your
performance
Clear goals and immediate
feedback

5K time, progress during
games
Characteristics of Flow
Sense of control over situation
Transformation of time
Autotelic Experience
Activity is an end in itself
 Intrinsically rewarding

Think, Pair, Share
Describe two leisure activities you enjoy
What elements of flow do they possess?
How are they similar?
How are they different?
Sociological Theories
Behavior that results from human
interaction either in groups or
organizations
Leisure Types
John Kelly (1972)
Based on:
Meaning of activity
 Amount of freedom experienced

Kelly’s Leisure Types
Freedom
Low
Intrinsic
Unconditional
Leisure
Recuperative
Leisure
Social
Relational
Leisure
Roledetermined
Leisure
Meaning
High
Unconditional Leisure
High in freedom of choice
Free from work
Chosen for activity itself
Like
Neulinger’s
pure leisure
Kelly’s Leisure Types
Freedom
Low
Intrinsic
Unconditional
Leisure
Recuperative
Leisure
Social
Relational
Leisure
Roledetermined
Leisure
Meaning
High
Recuperative Leisure
It provides a compensation for some deficit or loss
The purpose is rest and recovery from work
Escape from role obligations
It provides a compensation for the constraining
conditions of:

Work, parenthood, school, caring for sick parents
Kelly’s Leisure Types
Freedom
Low
Intrinsic
Unconditional
Leisure
Recuperative
Leisure
Social
Relational
Leisure
Roledetermined
Leisure
Meaning
High
Relational Leisure
This is the enjoyment of being with
others
It is born out of a desire to express
relationships and their importance as
opposed to the activity for its own sake.

Going camping or to a game with friends
Kelly’s Leisure Types
Freedom
Low
Intrinsic
Unconditional
Leisure
Recuperative
Leisure
Social
Relational
Leisure
Roledetermined
Leisure
Meaning
High
Role Determined Leisure
This satisfies the expectations of others
To meet the perceived role obligation
Motivated desire to maintain
relationships
Child’s game
 Family vacation

Think, Pair, Share
Look at your list of leisure activities
Find 1 activity that fits in each of the 4
boxes Kelly developed
Social Psychological Theories
Social Psychological Theories
Focus on the leisure experience and the
behavior of individual

what she does and feels
The interplay of the internal psychological
dispositions (perceptions, feelings, emotions)
and situational influence (other people,
norms, cultures)
Social Psychological Theories
Mannell’s Self as Entertainment (SAE)
The ability to fill free time with activity (i.e.,
mental, physical, or social) that is personally
satisfying and perceived as appropriate.
Also, it can be the ability to entertain oneself
SAE is a personality trait
Self-as-Entertainment
According to Mannell, when people use their "self" as
the primary means of filling their free time, they have
the capability to enjoyably entertain themselves.
Individuals high on the personality trait of self as
entertainment:




perceive a match between the time they have available and
their capacity to use it.
they do not experience time as "hanging heavily on their
hands“
less likely to regard leisure as boring
more likely to feel that they are using their free time wisely.
Self-as-Entertainment
Individuals low on the personality trait of self
as entertainment:




Seek diversion through external situations
Tend to rely on social & physical opportunities
Perceive that they have too much free time on
their hands
that they frequently have "nothing to do."
Leisure Theory
No grand theory exists that explains
leisure.
Questions on theories?
Types of Recreation
Outdoor recreation


Hiking, camping, climbing, diving
Environmental education
Therapeutic recreation
Tourism




Hotel/motel
Hospitality
Vacation & tour planning
Destinations
Types of Recreation
Sport
Arts
Seniors
Youth
Adults
Types of Recreation
Sport



Professional
University
Sport tourism
Arts



Performing arts
Visual arts
Public arts
Recreation Programming
Set up leagues & activities
Plan what people can do in their leisure
Questions?
Modern Flow Theory
Challenges
High
Boredom
Flow
Low
High
Apathy
Anxiety
Low
Skill
Sociological Theories
Dumazedier’s Tripartite theory of
Leisure - characteristics
Entertainment
 Relaxation
 Personal development

Leisure activity meets these 3 needs
 Leisure is more important than work
