1. Historical Assumptions Motivation for Recreation

2. Theoretically once we have numbers and characteristics of population - we need to understand any other factors that will lead to an activity being selected
sometimes mutual exclusion
The motivation for activity - what individuals would really like to gain from the activity - should govern our planning for the activity

3. Why Do We Recreate?

4. Surplus Energy
Individuals have a “fixed” amount of energy available to them
This is exhausted through work and play
If not exhausted - trouble for the individual

5. Link to observation of children
previous comments about technology (impact of communication)
extremely inclusive
Individuals react differently
other reasons for participation rather than just feeling ‘tired’ or ‘peppy’
for example, ‘social push’

6. Recreation as a Cathartic Device
Recreation is a needed ‘safety valve’
a means of ‘letting off steam’
Frustration abounds in society - work, family, society
Recreation is a ‘safe’ outlet

7. Recreation provides an opportunity to ‘play’ harder
Hitting a ball, hitting an opponent
Release of frustration - in a legal manner
Implications
recreation can ‘solve’ emotional problems
planning should allow for relaxation of ‘rules’ within activities and facilities

8. Additional concerns
Recreational activity can deepen frustration
Act of getting rid of frustration can lead to poorer performance
Again an all inclusive rationale for - why we recreate

9. Preparation for Life ‘Play’ is a means of practicing survival
behaviour is rooted in instinct
recreation mimics life
Again link to children - play at the adult world
Therefore a preparation for real life

10. Implies conscious knowledge of what we need to survive
Implies an obvious purpose to any activity
Impact on planning for activities if this is correct
possibility that individuals may want a break from reality

11. Recapitulation Theory
Similar to previous theory
Recreation is ‘re-creation’
we mimic life
we play at war for example
Implies instinctive (or genetic)
knowledge of human history

12. Rest and Relaxation Recreation offers recuperation
Recreation is - restoration
mental and physical restoration
work is monotonous and stressful
Recreation offers recuperation
Should we plan for stress free activities? - or a change of routine

13. Possibilities Cathartic device Preparation for Life R and R
Do they fit in a ‘modern’ thought process?
Do they have implications for planning?

14. Alternative Thoughts Physiological motivations
Perhaps combinations of the previous ideas with less of an absolute approach may provide a better picture
With this in mind - two camps appear (not mutually exclusive
Physiological motivations
Psychological motivations

15. Physiological Needs and Gains
Base Level
need for survival - requisites of life
As we satisfy this we have other needs
recreation helps the development of the entire organism
Stimulus of recreation helps the co-ordination and development of the mind, organs and emotions

16. Link to the ‘Preparation for life” theory
language skills from word games
motor skills from bicycling
math from board games
co-ordination from ‘hopscotch’
Adults continue this - a need to learn?
Music - mathematical construction
Sailing - wind systems
- navigation
- radio techniques

17. Recreation - Contribution to Learned Behaviour
Lessons are passed on to other areas of our lives
team behaviour
striving together, putting team first, accepting defeat gracefully, learning to lose, playing within the rules

18. Push for ‘responsible’ activities - wilderness camping
Negative aspects can be reinforced as well
team behaviour
disdain for rules, disdain for weaker opponents, individual selfishness, emulation of pro athletes
Thailand lost 92-0 to South Korea at a hockey tournament in 1998
Planner - concern with associated training and development of instructors
Push for ‘responsible’ activities - wilderness camping

19. Possible impacts on ‘types’ of activities included in facilities
‘Hard’ facilities that need development - hopscotch courts, shuffleboard courts, chess tables
link to sense of need plus ‘what is needed’ and is ‘right’ (link to tourism)
link to ‘style’ of planning