Historical AssumptionsMotivation for Recreation

• 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

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

• Link to observation of children

– previous comments about technology

• extremely inclusive

• Individuals react differently

– other reasons for participation rather than just feeling ‘tired’ or ‘peppy’

– for example, ‘social push’

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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

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

Rest and Relaxation

• 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

Possibilities

1 Cathartic device

2 Preparation for Life

3 R and R

• Do they fit in a ‘modern’ thought process?• Do they have implications for planning?

Alternative Thoughts

• 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

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

• 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

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

• Negative aspects can be reinforced as well

– team behaviour

• disdain for rules, disdain for weaker opponents, individual selfishness, emulation of pro athletes

• Planner - concern with associated training and development of instructors

• Push for ‘responsible’ activities - wilderness camping