Myron F. Floyd

Nature is Scary, Disgusting, and Uncomfortable

The relationships between fear expectancy, disgust sensitivity, desire for modem comforts, and preference for wildland and built environments and related activiffes were examined. Using a population of predominantly suburban and rural eighth-grade students (n =450), all three variables were found to be significantly related to preferences for wildland environments, recreational activifies, and vocational preferences. Those with high fear expectancy, disgust sensitivity, and desire for modem comforts were more likely to prefer manicured park settings and urban environments and to dislike wildland environments. They were also more likely to prefer indoor social recreation activities and express significantly less interest in future careers working in outdoor environments. Finally, they were less likely to prefer appropnate water bodies for conductng an aquatic entomology lab. Studying negative perceptions may complement existing environmental preference research, which has tended to focus on why people prefer certain environments.

Race, Class, and Leisure Activity Preferences: Marginality and Ethnicity Revisited.

This study examines the relationship between race, leisure preferences, and class awareness. Based on interest-group theory of class identification, we hypothesized that blacks and whites who defin...

Environmental Socialization Quantitative Tests of the Childhood Play Hypothesis

Two studies with adolescent youth (N = 1,376, N = 450) help clarify the relationship between childhood play experiences in wild environments and later environmental preferences in the life domains of work, leisure, and school. Respondents reporting having played in wild environments had more positive perceptions of natural environments, outdoor recreation activities, and future indoor/outdoor occupational environments. No significant differences were found for preferences for environmental sciences activities conducted in schools. Results suggest that childhood play in wildland environments is related to environmental competencies and preferences but not necessarily an intellectual interest in environmental sciences or environmentalism.

The Effect of Risk Perceptions on Intentions to Travel in the Aftermath of September 11, 2001

Abstract This study examined the relationship between perceived risk and travel intentions among residents in the New York City area. The timing of the survey (November 2001) provided opportunity to examine the effect of perceived risk on travel intentions during the period of aftershock following September 11, 2001. The study found that intentions to take a pleasure trip in the next 12 months (at the time of the survey) was related to safety concerns, perceived social risk, travel experience and income. Results from the study hold potential for better understanding risk perceptions and their impact on travel behavior and in the marketing of travel services during periods of uncertainty like that following September 11, 2001

Understanding the Relationship between Race and Leisure Activities and Constraints: Exploring an Alternative Framework

This study addresses the continuing relevance of race as a persistent societal issue in the U.S., and tackles criticism (Floyd, 1998; Henderson & Ainsworth, 2001; Philipp, 1995) regarding the lack of models to guide research that links race and leisure constraints. Shaws (1994) framework for analyzing womens leisure is explored as a potential vehicle for understanding racial variation in leisure constraints. More specifically, leisure constraints and preferences of African-Americans and Caucasians were examined, and some of the findings challenge the results of previous studies by suggesting African-Americans are not as constrained as are Caucasians. Our findings do, however, support previous research that indicates the two racial groups have distinct leisure preferences. Several explanations for the findings are discussed, particularly the concept of resistance as introduced by Shaw (1994).

Gender, race, and subjective social class and their association with leisure preferences

Abstract This study examines the leisure preferences of subgroups defined by gender, race, and subjective social class. The multiple hierarchy stratification perspective and the class polarization perspective provided the theoretical rationale for the study, and a secondary data set from a national probability telephone survey was used. The interviews obtained information regarding the leisure preferences of adults age 21 to 65. From 2,148 contacts, 1, 711 interviews were completed. The results provide partial support for the studys hypotheses. Poor‐working‐class Black women were distinct from White men and women and middle‐class Black men, but they were similar to the other Black groups. As hypothesized, the leisure preferences of middle‐class Black and White men were similar. However, contrary to the studys hypothesis, Black men of different classes did not exhibit greater dissimilarity when compared with Black women of different classes.

Hands On or Hands Off? Disgust Sensitivity and Preference for Environmental Education Activities.

Abstract Detailed descriptions of barriers to environmental education (EE) can provide opportunities for educators to foresee potential problems in programs. High disgust sensitivity is an intrapersonal barrier that constrains preference for learning opportunities involving manipulation of some organic materials. Middle school students in Texas (N = 450) completed a science activity preference scale and a disgust-sensitivity scale. Respondents who expressed the lowest interest in activities that required manipulation of organic substances also had the highest disgust-sensitivity scores. However, no differences were found among students for activities that required observation only. Using a photographic scale, students rated their preference for lake shore environments as places to conduct an aquatic entomology study. Students with high disgust sensitivity were significantly more likely to prefer the poorer locations, which were characterized by clear water and no algae or submerged objects. The addition o...

Convergence and divergence in leisure style among Whites and African Americans: toward an interracial contact hypothesis

Drawing upon structural theory and social group perspectives, this study examined two propositions developed to explain the relationship between interracial contact and leisure preferences among African Americans and Whites. The first proposition stated that as interracial contact increases, the greater the probability of observing similarity in the leisure preferences of African Americans and Whites. The second stated that the probability of observing similarity in the leisure preferences will be greater among Whites with high or low interracial contact than observing similarity among African Americans with high or low interracial contact. Data to evaluate the propositions came from an on-site survey of Chicago (IL) park users. As hypothesized, Black and White respondents with high interracial contact reported very similar leisure preferences. Also, among African Americans, there was little similarity in the leisure preferences between individuals with high interracial contact and those with low interracial contact. Further, as expected, there was high similarity among Whites with high or low interracial contact. In general, the results of the study highlight the importance of considering social interaction, and interracial contact specilically, in explaining racial differences in leisure participation. The study also demonstrates the importance of examining internal differentiation of African Americans and its implications for leisure lifestyle choices.

Pleasure, arousal, and dominance: Exploring affective determinants of recreation satisfaction

This study explored the application of affective indicators in understanding recreation satisfaction among hunters, using A. Mehrabian and J.A. Russells (1974) pleasure, arousal and dominance (P‐A‐D) model. Factor analysis was performed to examine the dimensional structure of affective response to a recreation engagement. Regression models examined the relationship between affect and conventional measures of recreation satisfaction. The results showed that affect did not factor into a 3‐dimensional structure suggested by the P‐A‐D model. Rather, a 1‐dimensional structure emerged. Affect explained moderate amounts of variance in four measures of satisfaction. Measures of satisfaction were also regressed on separate P‐A‐D dimensions. The pleasure dimension was the most important predictor of overall satisfaction with a hunting trip and a summated satisfaction measure. The dominance dimension was most important for satisfaction with chance to bag game. The arousal dimension consistently was lowest in predic...

The Home They Live In: Inner City Children's Views on the Influence of Parenting Strategies on Their Leisure Behavior

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into how parenting strategies affect African-American childrens leisure experiences in socially isolated urban neighborhoods. From the perspective of children, we describe strategies used by their parents and families to combat constraints imposed by poverty and the physical risks in their neighborhood. Over a two-year period, 43 children were interviewed about their leisure experiences within the context of their family and neighborhood. Four themes regarding parenting strategies emerged from a qualitative analysis of the data: utilization of kinship networks, serving as arrangers of leisure activities, isolation and confinement, and chaperonage. These parenting strategies allowed some children to participate in mainstream leisure activities, despite risks present in their neighborhood. On the other hand, parental restrictions on childrens social interactions with peers and others perceived to be undesirable curtailed the range of leisure for some children. These findings are discussed in terms of (a) constraints to childrens leisure and, (b) the programmatic implications for the planning of childrens leisure in inner city neighborhoods.