The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Concern: Reexamining the Dunlap‐Heffernan Thesis¹

Abstract

Building upon earlier studies, two hypotheses concerning the association between participation in outdoor recreational activities and pro-environmental behavior are tested using data collected in a general population survey from a random sample of individuals in four communities in Pennsylvania. The first hypothesis, that there is a positive association between outdoor recreational participation and pro-environmental behavior, received substantial support. In contrast to previous research, the results did not support the second hypothesis which stated that there will be differences between/among different types of outdoor activities with respect to their impact on pro-environmental behaviors. Clarifications are made with respect to previous classifications of outdoor recreation activities.

Environmental Attitudes and Desired Social-Psychological Benefits of Off-Highway Vehicle Users

“…Previous research, along with the findings presented here, suggests general levels of environmental awareness do not vary by how behaviorally involved individuals are in particular outdoor recreation activities [18,40]. Similarly, outdoor recreationists by and large do not hold significantly stronger environmental attitudes than the general public [32,33]. Contrarily, activity specific environmental concerns such as damage to coral [39] or riparian areas [24] do differ within recreation groups.…”

“…At the most general level, the question of whether individuals who participate in outdoor recreation activities are more environmentally conscious than those who don't has been addressed [32,33]. At a more specific level, differences between specific types of recreational activities (i.e., consumptive vs. appreciative vs. motorized) have been examined [34][35][36][37].…”

Does Participation in Outdoor Activities Determine Residents’ Appreciation of Nature: A Case Study From the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

“…Esparon, M., Gyuris, E., & Stoeckl, N. (2013 (Dunlap & Heffernan, 1975), moving on to 'attitudes' (measured using New Environmental Paradigm, van Liere & Noe, 1981), pro-environmental 'behaviour' (Theodori et al, 1998) and 'sensitivity' (Bustam, Young, & Todd, 2005). …”

“…The type of activities that people participate in is equally important: people who participate in non-consumptive, 'appreciative' activities are consistently found to be relatively more concerned about the environment than those who participate in consumptive and motorised activities (Geisler, Martinson, & Wilkening, 1977;Holsman, 2000;Jackson, 1986;Teisl & O'Brien, 2003;Thapa & Graefe 2003;Theodori et al, 1998;Ustun et al, 2013;Waight & Bath, 2014). Reviewing the literature on the relationship between outdoor recreation participation and personal environmental 'perspective' (Berns & Simpson, 2009;Teisl & O'Brian, 2003) we noted that few studies have explored a third hypothesis: that associations form between participation and the 'relevant' environment only, not with the environment in general (for example, Jackson, 1986).…”

“…issues (Hungerfold & Volk, 1990;Teisl & O'Brien, 2003;Thapa & Graefe, 2003;Theodori, Luloff, & Willits, 1998;Ustun, Gumusgul, Isik, Demirel, & Demirel, 2013;van Liere & Noe, 1981). The type of activities that people participate in is equally important: people who participate in non-consumptive, 'appreciative' activities are consistently found to be relatively more concerned about the environment than those who participate in consumptive and motorised activities (Geisler, Martinson, & Wilkening, 1977;Holsman, 2000;Jackson, 1986;Teisl & O'Brien, 2003;Thapa & Graefe 2003;Theodori et al, 1998;Ustun et al, 2013;Waight & Bath, 2014).…”