An Analysis And Profile Of Major Emotional Episodes And Their Antecedents, On A Six Day Wilderness Expedition

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to highlight the complexity of affective behaviour on wilderness trips. Antecedent situations are examined and emotional profiles presented as a means of assisting leaders to better plan expeditions. Introduction During recent times a number of psychologists have indicated that the topic of emotion has for decades, been severely neglected. (Plutchik, 1980; Scherer, 1981b; Averill, 1982). One of the main reasons for the paucity of research in this area is probably due to the difficulty in developing adequate models of emotion, perhaps exacerbated by differences of opinion between emotion theorists; Vanman and Miller, (1993) comment: During the past decade or so, reviewers of the emotion literature (eg. Izard, 1989; Zajonc & Markus, 1984) have grouped the large number of emotion theories into two categories: (1) appraisal or constructivist theories, and (2) biosocial theories. The two broad categories differ mainly in the role they assign to cognition, (Vanman & Miller, 1993) : This investigation was concerned with the nature of the antecedent situation, and Scherer (1984) argues that, for process theories which postulate that the nature of the reaction is closely tied to a sequence of evaluations of antecedent stimuli (eg. Scherer, 198Ib, 1984), the study of antecedent situations is of vital importance for understanding emotional experiences. Field research in the area of emotions and outdoor activities also poses particular problems of measurement and evaluation. In situations that frequently involve travelling in difficult terrain and engaging in potentially hazardous activities, techniques of participant observation and data collection can be difficult and even dangerous. Many researchers have examined such phenomena as self-esteem, self-image, etc. using measurements on a 'before and after the experience' basis in order to determine the effects of an experience or programme on the individual. However, studies towards identification and measurement of feelings/emotions during an adventure activity are scarce. Scherl (1988) comments: ... a number of studies have suggested that meaningful change takes place within the individual when going into, and undertaking, activities in that setting (eg. Doyle, 1981; Hendy, 1976; Kaplan, 1974; Lambert, Segger, Staley, Spencer & Nelson, 1978; Nye, 1976; Risk, 1977). Despite these claims and research results, however, there have been very few attempts to understand the wilderness experience itself, in order to more clearly explain how and why wilderness promotes psychological well being. (Scherl, 1988). Emotional experiences are very private events and are considered by some to be the most important benefits realized by recreational]sts in the natural environment, (Rossman & Uiehla, 1977; Shafer & Mietz, 1969). Izard, (1977) defines emotions as: ...innate, cross-cultural phenomena, each having characteristic experiential, facial, and neurophysiological components. (Izard, 1977) Emotions are often intense and of short duration, whereas moods may be thought of as emotional states (rather than briefer, strongly felt episodes), less intense and more diffuse. Very little is known about the frequency/incidences of emotional experiences in everyday life, and about the situational factors that pertain prior to the emotional response, (the antecedent situation), causing affective responses. Aristotle, when teaching orators to evoke particular emotions in their audiences, wrote: Take, for instance, the emotion of anger: here we must discover (1) what the state of mind of angry people is, (2) whom the people are angry with when they usually get angry, and (3) on what grounds they get angry with them. It is not enough to know one or even two of these points; unless we know all three we will be unable to arouse anger in anyone. The same is true of the other emotions. …