All Guides: Recreation Theory and Philosophy: Risk

Definition:

Risk can be perceived (one's best estimation of risk) or real (actual level of risk in a situation).

Media/Videos:

Links/Documents:

Self-Efficacy of Risk Taking in Outdoor Recreation as a Predictor of the Self-Efficacy of Risk Taking in Essay Writing
During two decades of teaching, we have observed that writing students seem more emotionally honest when their writing class is accompanied by an outdoor recreation component. The ability to take perceived risks is important to both outdoor recreation and writing; thus, we postulated that confidence gained in taking risks in outdoor experiences might affect students' confidence in taking risks in their reflective writing. In this study, we applied Bandura's (1997) self-efficacy theory to two classes of writing students, one that included outdoor experience and one that did not. We examined whether participating in outdoor activities would increase the self-efficacy of risk taking in the experimental group and whether this growth of self-efficacy in outdoor contexts would be accompanied by increased self-efficacy of risk taking in writing personal essays. Findings indicated significantly more growth of self-efficacy scores pertaining to risk taking in the writing of students in the experimental group versus those in the control group.

Adventure and Risk Taking
Cited: Ewert, A. W. (1989). Chapter 1 : Outdoor Adventure Pursuits: An Introduction : Adventure and Risk Taking. In Outdoor Adventure Pursuits: Foundations, models, and theories (pp. 3–5). essay, Publishing Horizons.
Managing Risk in Recreation Programs, Facilities and Services
The management of risk in programs, facilities and services is essential to the sustainability and viability of recreation agencies. Protecting the safety of participants and employees should be the top priority in the provision of any recreational activity, program or service. Proactive management must take place to reduce the risk of injury, death, damage or liability as a result of participation in recreation offerings. This is not an easy task given the inherent risks involved in many recreational activities.
Risk seeking, Motivations, and Fear in Outdoor Adventure Pursuits
Exert from: Outdoor Adventure Pursuits: Foundations, Models, and Theories.
Citation: Ewert, A. W. (1989). Chapter 5 : Risk Seeking, Motivations, and Fear in Outdoor Adventure Pursuits : Risk/Sensation Seeking. In Outdoor Adventure Pursuits: Foundations, models, and theories (pp. 61-64). essay, Publishing Horizons.

Audio Clips:

Peter Ayton, the Associate Dean of Research & Deputy Dean of Social Sciences at City University of London, discusses the psychological influences on risk and risk perceptions. This might be more financial than leisure.

In this podcast, Sarah Cormode speaks with Steve Smith, an expert in outdoor risk management. Steve has worked for many years teaching, leading, planning, and consulting about ways to manage risk in the outdoors. Steve recently presented at the 2020 NOLS Wilderness Risk Management Conference.

On today's episode, we chat with Tom Norquist, president of the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), about how risk and adventure play is stepping back into the limelight and can help kids' independence and creativity.