A Social Psychology of Leisure

A Social Psychology of Leisure by Walker, Gordon J.. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781892132925.

In recent decades, the social psychology of leisure has emerged as a prominent perspective for understanding the role and impact of leisure in peoples lives. It is a dynamic field of study influenced by researchers in leisure studies and theories and research in the fields of psychology and social psychology. There is a real interest in the practical applications of social psychology for understanding urgent social issues, and social psychological principles have been applied to improving arrangements for health, work, home life, and of course, leisure. This new edition builds on all of these earlier efforts and incorporates major new topics of research, innovative studies, and contemporary examples. It also advances from the first edition in several important ways. First, it makes more use of traditional social psychological topics such as conformity and persuasion, particularly in Chapter 9. Second, we have devoted the entirety of Chapter 10 to the subject of race, ethnicity, and culture given the growing evidence for the influence of each on leisure behavior. And third, we have changed the focus of later chapters from benefits to outcomes, recognizing that leisure behavior maybe both beneficial and harmful at times. This book is written to serve as a textbook for undergraduate students taking a course in the psychological and social aspects of leisure and recreation. It also provides for students in graduate courses a comprehensive introduction that be supplemented by books and journal articles focusing on specific topics. Finally, especially as it has incorporated reference to newer literature, this volume is intended to serve as a sourcebook for researchers in providing context and even direction when conducting studies that employ a social psychological approach. C O N T E N T S .... SECTION ONE - The Nature of Social Psychology SECTION TWO - Social Psychology of Leisure Essentials SECTION THREE - Leisure and the Person SECTION FOUR - The Social Context of Leisure SECTION FIVE - Identifying and Cultivating the Best of Leisure