Chapter 2 2 Leisure Through a Social Science Lens Erik Rabinowitz and J. Joy James C H A P T E R

Define social science. Define how social science helps us understand leisure and leisure behaviors. Discuss leisure from a psychological, sociological, anthropological, and geographical perspective and give examples of how each helps us better understand human leisure behaviors. Learning Outcomes

All Work and No Play... U.S. trends over the past 80 years have shown that generally we are not more likely to get on the hamster wheel.

What happens when your life becomes all work and no play?

Our work hours have decreased; conversely, leisure time has increased. At the beginning of the 20th century a work week averaged 50 to 60 hours. Since that time the standard work week has declined to 35 to 40 hours. Time for other activities has increased: Leisure time has increased from 53 hours to 70 hours. Leisure Time

The social sciences are about people: how they act individually and in a group. They encompass these disciplines: –Psychology –Sociology –Economics –Anthropology –Geography All of these disciplines can provide insight into leisure behaviors. Social Sciences

Understanding the paradigm of the researcher: For positivists, the goal of knowledge is simply to describe the phenomena that we experience and to stick to what we can observe and measure. Postpositivists recognize that the way scientists think and work and the way we think in our everyday lives are not distinctly different, but not every experience is measurable. (continued) Social Science Perspectives

Social Science Perspectives (continued) Interpretivists believe that cultures can be understood by studying people’s ideas and the meanings that are important to the people. Postmodernists believe there is really no answer to the question, only various points of view.

Ontology: Is truth universal, or are there multiple realities? Epistemology is the actual belief on how to get information or how the blind man believes the puzzle should be put together. Methodology involves the procedures and techniques used in collecting information that pieces the puzzle together. Perspectives Determine How Research Is Conducted

Psychology The study of individual human behavior; it can offer an explanation about why a person participates in a recreational activity. Leisure is a time for building purpose in our lives, is individual, and should have beneficial results.

That nervous feeling you get right before participating in a challenging activity is a sign that your body’s autonomic nervous system is gearing up. This is an example of a psychological principle you unconsciously use on yourself.

Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking The need for varied, novel, and complex sensations and the willingness to take physical and social risks for the sake of such experiences Subcomponents: –Thrill and adventure seeking: willingness to take physical risks and participate in high-risk sports –Experience seeking: need for new and exciting experiences (continued)

Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking (continued) More subcomponents: –Disinhibition: willingness to take social risks and engage in health risk behaviors (e.g., binge drinking or unprotected sex) –Boredom susceptibility: intolerance for monotony and repetitive activities

Psychological Benefits of Leisure Increased self-actualization, self-identity, self-esteem, and self-concept Personal enjoyment and growth Reduction in anxiety and depression Spiritual improvements Overall psychological well-being (continued)

Psychological Benefits of Leisure (continued) Informational knowledge Visual learning Problem solving Creativity Recognition memory

Sociology The study of two or more human behaviors; can provide insight into group behavior such as race or ethnicity, social class, gender roles, family, deviance, and crime Deviance involves actions or behaviors that differ from cultural norms. (continued)

Sociology (continued) Cross-cultural differences Communities that have more leisure opportunities show increases in quality of life assessments, higher community involvement and satisfaction, and lower crime rates.

Economics Examines the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services and is at the heart of pricing recreational activities or is the basis of tourism industry in some countries Two major theories: –Microeconomics looks at how individuals, families, organizations, and some states make decisions to spend their money. –Macroeconomics looks at the total economic activity (growth, inflation, and unemployment) of national or regional economy as a whole.

Anthropology The study of humankind and cultures Can best inform a national park or heritage site of the culture being preserved and will help us to understand the nature and distribution of leisure as well as its validity as a concept in other cultures Ethnography means learning from people rather than studying people.

Geography Study of earth’s lands, inhabitants, features, and other trends Lends itself to providing data for natural resource and land management decisions (continued)

Geography (continued)

Benefits of Social Science for Leisure and Society Provides information to inform policy-making and management decisions Benefits communities from initiatives that improve quality of life through technological advances, allocation or budgetary efficiency, and institutional change Provides empirical evidence to substantiate the provision of fiscal resources, staffing, and facilities for recreation