REC 3021-01
SOCIAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF LEISURE
Spring 2006
TR 8:00-9:15 am
Terrace 124
Professor Thayer Raines
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course primarily examines the significance of play, recreation,
and leisure throughout the life cycle relative to the individual's attitudes, values, behaviors, and
use of resources. Human leisure behavior is studied as a function of other individuals, groups,
and cultures. Introductory material will provide an overview of the philosophical basis of
leisure. Theories of sociology, psychology, and anthropology pertinent to individuals in the
recreation field are explored through the examination of applicable leisure practices and
research.
COURSE OBJECTIVES - Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Identify and explain his/her personal philosophy of leisure in comparison with classical and
contemporary philosophies of leisure.
2. Show a knowledge and understanding of the philosophies of leisure, recreation and play for
all populations and settings.
3. Have an understanding of the conceptual foundations of play, recreation, and leisure for all
populations and settings.
4. Have an understanding of the psychological, sociological, and physiological significance of
play, recreation, and leisure from an historical perspective of all populations and settings.
5. Have an understanding of the significance of play, recreation, and leisure throughout the
life cycle relative to the individual’s attitudes, values, behaviors, and use of resources.
6. Express knowledge of the interrelationship between leisure behavior and the natural
environment.
7. Have an understanding of procedures and techniques for assessment of leisure needs.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose, basic procedures and interpretation, and
application of research and evaluation methodology related to leisure services.
9. Have an understanding of and the ability to facilitate the concept of leisure lifestyle for
continued individual development and expression throughout the human life span.
10. Define social psychology of leisure and recreation.
11. Investigate and discuss the current status, issues, and future trends of recreation in society.
12. Identify and differentiate between primary methods of research.
13. Identify primary theories that explicate stages in the leisure life cycle relative to social
development.
14. Identify social psychological influences on the growth and development of leisure in society.
In addition to student-generated influences, specific course content will include the
influences of politics, religion, family, economics, racism, sexism, addictive behavior,
media, professional sport, and crime.
15. Identify the determinants of leisure behavior based upon human demographics, perception,
personality, needs, motives, and attitudes.
16. Identify determinants of leisure participation based upon group influences, experiences,
environmental influences and leadership factors.
17. Generate the implications of related research findings for delivering leisure services.
18. Discuss the social psychology of the work/leisure dichotomy and its implications for the
future of our perceived quality of life.
19. Explore and report upon personal leisure patterns, leisure spending habits, and attitudes.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Mannell, R.C. & Kleiber, D.A. (1997). A social psychology of leisure. State College,
PA:Venture.
Verdugo, E.D. (1998). Practical problems in research methods. Los Angeles, CA: Pyrczak.
LEARNING EXPERIENCES:
1.
Reading texts, selected other references, and library resources.
2.
Lecture and audiovisual materials.
3.
Investigation and presentation of a mini-research project on the psychological
determinants of leisure behavior with documentation consisting of a written paper with
bibliography of sources.
4.
Completion of questions on research methods from 5 case studies.
5.
Discussion of assigned readings with documentation in the form of written assignments.
6.
Tests - 3
COURSE SCHEDULE:
WEEK
TOPIC
READINGS/ASSIGNMENTS
1
Course Introduction
Philosophies of Leisure
SECTION ONE - THE NATURE OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
2
Understanding Leisure with Social Psychology
Chapter 1
Defining the Social Psychology of Leisure
Stimulus-Response Approach
Organism-Response Approach
3
The Social Psychology of Leisure: Getting to Know It Chapter 2
Social Psychological Heritage
Leisure Life Survey
Treatment of Leisure
Approaches to Leisure Studies
4
Leisure as Behavior, Setting and Time
Chapter 3
Video - Of Time, Work, and Leisure
Begin Leisure Time Diary
Application of Leisure Philosophy to Free Time: What is leisure to you?
Measuring Leisure Behavior and Time
Leisure Behavior Inventories
LAB in class
Time Diaries
Direct Observation
Leisure as a Psychological State and Experience
Chapter 4
Definitional Criteria of Leisure Experience
Qualitative Approaches
Quasi-Experiments
5
Factors Jeopardizing Internal & External Validity Campbell & Stanley, pp. 1-20
Test 1
Date:
Leisure Time Diary Due:
SECTION TWO - LEISURE AND THE PERSON
6
Experimental & Quasi-Experimental Designs
Perceived Freedom and Intrinsic Motivation: the
Psychological Foundations of Leisure
7
Video - Is it Leisure or Leizure?
MID-TERM GRADES
WINTER BREAK
8
Personality and Leisure
Personality Traits in Leisure Research
Leisure Behavior & the Natural Environment
9
Leisure Motivation and Satisfaction
Usefulness and Limitations
Case 2 & 4
Begin Mini-Research Project
on Psychological Determinants
Chapter 5, Case 10
Chapter 6
Case 11, Case 17
Chapter 7, Case 22
Mini-Research Projects Due:
SECTION THREE - THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF LEISURE
10
Socialization and the Development of Leisure Orientation
Chapter 8
Influences on Leisure Orientation
Work Survey
Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood
Case 27
Test 2
Date:
11
Leisure Behavior Over the Life Span
Chapter 9, Case 32
Theories of Change
Begin Long Case Review
SECTION FOUR - CULTIVATING LEISURE AND WELL-BEING
12
Psychological Benefits of Leisure: Concepts, Theories
And Evidence
Chapter 10
Leisure and Psychological Benefit Theories
Video - Life in the Fast Lane
13
The Benefits of Leisure in Other Domains of Life
Chapter 11
Domain of Paid Employment
Begin Spending Log
Domain of Retirement & Unemployment
Domain of Relationships
SPRING BREAK
14
Negotiating Leisure Constraint and Creating Leisure Spending Log Due:
Affordance
Chapter 12
15
Conclusions
Long Case Review Due:
FINAL EXAM Date:
Time:
Location: