Identifying predictors for quality and quantity restorative character of wilderness: using events as an analysis unit

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to understand whether and how trail design and resource impacts influence the quality and quantity of restorative experiences. The focus of past research has been on understanding the quality-side (what happens). What is missing is a better understanding of the quantity-side of experiences (how much happens). Gibson's environmental perception theory was used to conceptualize quality and quantity experiences. He suggests that events involving the coupling of actors and environments are meaningful. Events were used as a unit of analysis in this study. Quantity (i.e., amount of events) was measured on an eventfulness scale. Continuous Audience Response Technology was used to record degree of eventfulness during the viewing of videos simulating hiking events in the Monongahela National Forest. While walking along each of eight wilderness trail segments, 90 seconds of visual media was filmed as stimuli. As study participants (N=42) watched each video, they rated the restorative character by turning a handheld dial from 0 (low) to 100 (high). Following each video, respondents evaluated five components of restorative environments, overall quality, and eventfulness. The number of dial turns was correlated with eventfulness (r=0.21, p

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2006 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Pierskalla, Chad D.; Siniscalchi, Jason M.; Hammitt, William E.; Smaldone, David A.; Storck, Steven J. 2007. Identifying predictors for quality and quantity restorative character of wilderness: using events as an analysis unit. In: Burns, R.; Robinson, K., comps. Proceedings of the 2006 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2006 April 9-11; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-14. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 497-508.