Reflective Self Study: A Tool for Understanding Leisure Behavior

Abstract

The examination of self within a theoretical framework can provide insight into values, beliefs, and biases that underlie personal behavior and inform individual professional practise and decision making. Students in a Recreation Management program take a required course in second year entitled Leisure Behavior. In order to better understand the social psychological concepts and theories in practical terms, they are assigned the task of completing a reflective self-study journal which facilitates a guided experience of identifying and providing analysis of leisure behavior as they have experienced it throughout their lives. Reflecting upon the factors that have influenced their personal leisure development using social psychological theory not only enhances their understanding of the concepts, but also serves as a context for fostering a better appreciation of the leisure behavior of others.