I. Short answer questions: (30 points)a.Background● Industrial revolution + rapid urbanizationSample programs and practices● Sunday school● Temperance and teetotalism● YMCA (1844 in London, 1851 in New York)b.Serious leisure is the systematic pursuit of an amateur, hobbyist, or volunteer activity that participants find so substantial and interesting that, in the typical case, they launch themselves on a career centered on acquiring and expressing its special skills, knowledge, and experienceFor examples:Golf club、tourism club、bicycle club。
Casual leisure-- relatively short lived, pleasurable activity requiring relatively little or no special training to enjoy it. It isconsiderably less substantial and offers no career of the sort described for serious leisureSome examples: television, books, music。
C．People seek neither an absence nor an excess of stimulation, but an optimal level of stimulation .What constitutes the optimal level varies from person to person and from time to time. For examples:Roller coaster rides, bungee jumping, sky diving.d.Why people do what they do? Because these activities are intrinsically rewarding. We engage in an activity for its own sake,that is observable even among young children and animalsFreedom of choice -- the prerequisiteDone for the own sake/voluntarily chosen/self-determinedIntrinsic rewards Self-fulfillment, competence-elevating, social experiences constitute the essence of intrinsically motivated leisurePersonal rewards● Perceived competence – the most important● A sense of competence and challenge in leisure matched to result in optimal experiences● We avoid under- and over- challenging situations because they can lead to anxiety or boredom – the notion of flowInterpersonal rewards● Engaging in leisure activities for social contact and social support Thoseself-determined,competence-elevating, social experiences constitute the essence of intrinsically motivated leisure.initial intrinsic motivation maybe constrained by certain factors: ● Lack of opportunity to choose leisure behavior● The presence of extrinsic rewards –“over justification phenomenon”● Imposition of a deadline for a completion of an activity● The mere presence of observer or evaluator● So called “if-then contingencies”e.1.Keeping idle hands busy theory● Roots● The early Protestant movement -- Idleness was considered “an enemy of the soul” and work a religious obligation because it prevented idleness● Major arguments● People are expected to be happiest or at least mentally healthy when they are busy● People who have nothing to do are expected to be more likely to engage in illegal and destructive activitiesRole of leisure● Leisure keeps people with …too much free time‟ on their hands occupied● Leisure keeps the mind busy – distracting people from distressful thoughts that may be triggered by events such as death of a spouse or problems at workTargeted populations● E.g., older retired adults -- at risk of this destructive idleness● Adolescents● Juvenile delinquency is a result of teenagers having too much free time on their hands● No socially acceptable leisure alternatives available● Boredom and consequent engagement in harmful activities such as drug use2.Pleasure-Relaxation-Fun theoryo Also known as psychological hedonismo Hedonism is a psychological theory that refers to the fact that people act insuch a way as to seek pleasure and avoid paino“Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain, and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do” (Bentham 1789)o Pain – aches, irritations, anxiety, anguish, discomfort, despair, grief, depression, guilt, remorseo Pleasure – elation, ecstasy, delight, joy, enjoymentMajor argumentso People seek fun or pleasurable experiences in leisureo Fun and pleasurable experiences have long lasting effects on people‟s lives, which contribute to overall sense of well-beingo Leisure can provide us with desirable moments of funo Maintain a sense of well being people need to experience many small moments of enjoyment rather that rare and great peaks of pleasureNeed-compensation theory● Major arguments● We all have to satisfy a variety of psychological, cognitive and social needs to live happy lives● However, due to a variety of factors we are often unable to satisfy many of those needs as fully as we would like● Leisure activities are often used to compensate or satisfy these unmet needs● Example● Work and leisure relationshipII. Long essay question: (30 points)A .休闲和炫耀性消费之间的关系。
