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Impacts of Wilderness Camping on Youth's
Self-conceptions:
An Interactionist Perspective
Bultena, G.L.
Outdoor Recreation Planning, Perspectives,
and Research, Ted. L. Napier (ed.),
1981. Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt.
Purpose:
Determine the effects of a wilderness camping
experience on the self-concept of 12-18
year old males.
Sample:
309 males, ages 12-18.
Method/Instruments:
Method: Subjects each participated in a
small group (4-10) two-week wilderness canoe-camping
experience.
Instrument: Questionnaire in which each
subject was asked to do the following:
- rank each member of the group, including
himself, as to his relative leadership
status.
- indicate the position in his group where
he perceived most of his peers would place
him.
Design: pre-test/post-test design. Subjects
were given the questionnaire at the beginning
and end of the trip. Variables derived from
questionnaire rankings were: self-rank (individual's
evaluation of his leadership standing in
the group), perceived rank (leadership position
each subject thought would be assigned him
by his peers in the group), assigned rank
(actual leadership position of the subject
in his group as determined by the median
rank assigned by others). Adult leaders
and subjects were also asked to indicate
individuals whom they thought had difficulties
interacting with others on the trip.
Data Analysis: Pearson Product-Moment Correlation.
Results:
- Subjects' self-ratings of their leadership
positions relative to others in the group
were significantly correlated with the
perceived rankings.
- The perceived rankings were significantly
correlated with assigned ranks.
- The self-rankings were significantly
correlated with the assigned ranks.
- Rankings remained relatively stable
from pre- to post-test. Most of the shifts
were limited to one rank, indicating that
the leadership structures underwent only
minor changes during the trips.
- Significant correlation between changes
in self-conceptions of leadership status
and changes in perceived rankings from
pre- to post-test.
- Almost half of those whose self-rankings
were higher than their assigned rankings
were identified by one or more of their
peers as having had problems getting along
with others during the trip. In contrast,
one third whose self and assigned rankings
were congruent and 24% whose self-rankings
were lower than assigned rankings were
identified as having had problems getting
along with others.
- Campers whose self-rankings were higher
than assigned rankings were also most
frequently identified by adult leaders
as having had problems getting along with
others on the trip. In contrast, campers
whose self-rankings were consistently
lower than assigned rankings were least
often identified as having had problems
getting along with others.
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