Recreation Specialization and Norms of Depreciative Behavior Among Canoeists

ABSTRACTABSTRACTA sample of canoeists on mild whitewater rivers in Virginia was studied to see if attitudes toward depreciative behavior varied with specialization. Sixty-eight potentially depreciative behaviors were identified, and sampled canoeists scaled the seriousness of each in terms of its seriousness as a breach of appropriate behavior. Canoeists were stratified according to a specialization index, and the seriousness ratings of the lowest and highest quartiles were compared. The data provided very limited support for the hypothesized relationship. Methodological and theoretical issues possibly leading to these findings are discussed.