Key Concepts
Compensation theory
Constraints to leisure
Flow
Generational
groupings
Leisure motives
Leisure service
organizations
Life satisfaction
Quality of life
Spillover theory
Work
Well-being
Lifestyle management
Leisure Motivations
Mitchell and Mason
Roger Callois
Market Research
Motivations
Mason and Mitchell (Mitchell and Mason)
These two Americans developed a threefold classification system in the late 1930s
that is still relevant today. They divided
activities into the categories of motor
(locomotion and handling objects), sensory
and intellectual.
Motivations
Mason and Mitchell (Mitchell and Mason)
Motor (Locomotion):
walking, running, dancing, jumping, diving, skating, climbing,
etc.
Motor (Handling Objects):
catching, throwing, pulling, pushing, lifting, etc.
Sensory:
auditory, visual, olfactory, tactile
Intellectual:
cognitive play, recreation
Motivations
Roger Caillois
This French sociologist analyzed
games and his research is often use in
the broader category of leisure
activities and recreation. Caillois
concluded that there were four basic
types of activities: agon, alea,
mimicry and ilinx.
Motivations
Roger Caillois
Agon (Competition):
Activities based on competition. Skill, creativity
and strength are necessary to be successful, and
winning is important. Often there is a certain
amount of risk involved.
-sports
-athletics
-card games/table games
Motivations
Roger Caillois
Alea (Chance):
These activities are essentially games of chance.
-lottery
-gambling
Motivations
Roger Caillois
Mimicry (Imitation):
These activities involve imagination and creativity.
Usually these activities center around creating an
artificial mental environment.
-imaginary play
-illusions/day dreaming
-movies
-theatre
Motivations
Roger Caillois
Ilinx (Vertigo):
These activities are based on the pursuit of vertigo or
dizziness. These games or activities affect the sense of
balance either from physical or mental stimulation.
-dancing (depending on how good you are at it)
-roller coasters/amusement thrill rides
-hang gliding
-skiing
-drugs/alcohol
Motivations
Market Research
Another common way to classify activities is by market
research. These are often categorized simply to focus
marketing efforts and attract business. However, the
connection between marketing and society is very tight, and,
like listening to a particular radio station, the general public
often classifies its recreational activities by those
established by marketing experts. Magazines to address
particular markets often pop up, and more recently,
television stations devoted to one particular niche have been
created. It helps advertisers single out a group of people
that they want.
Motivations
Market Research
Active Sports:
-swimming/baseball/basketball
-fishing/hunting
Home-Oriented Activities:
-wood working
-cooking/sewing
-exercise
-stamp collecting
Social Events:
-movies/discos/nightclubs
-sporting events/concerts
-cafes
Key Leisure Terms
Quantitative
Qualitative
Perceived freedom
Perceived constraint
Holistic
Recreation
Discretionary time
Discretionary money
Intrinsic motivation
Extrinsic motivation
Play
Games
Play Characteristics
Spontaneous
Short time period
Intrinsically motivated
Sense of freedom (perceived freedom)
May occur during work or recreation
May produce leisure
Participated in purely for fun
Recreation
The term recreation comes from the Latin
word “recreation.” This word means “that
refreshes or restores.”
Recreation is engaged in not only for the
fun, but also for the restorative value it
has.
Recreation Characteristics
Recreation is planned for (not
spontaneous)
Longer time period (as compared to play)
Requires special equipment
Requires specific facilities/environment
Games
A transaction between two or more
people in which there is a sought after goal
that can be achieved in only a certain
prescribed manner.
The underlying principles of games center
on recreation values
Characteristics of Games
Involve two or more people
Require rules
Require prescribed behaviors
Require certain equipment and activity
sites
Involve a degree of competition
They are played for fun*
Group Activity
Group activities are used in RLS 30 to review
learned material, explore new concepts and to
present concepts to the class. While participating
in group work it is essential that all group
members contribute. At the end of the
semester, a point score will be given by your
group-mates.
Group assignments are based on your chosen
sector of the recreation and leisure industry.