Psychological Continuum Model Research Articles

Heritage tourism and allegiance development: A study of the Korean demilitarized zone

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) stands as a compelling destination for heritage tourism due to its rich historical and sociocultural significance. This study employs the psychological continuum model to explore allegiance development across four dimensions—awareness, attraction, attachment, and allegiance—within the context of DMZ tourism. The investigation delves into how DMZ tourists’ sociocultural motivation shapes their destination engagement, subsequently influencing emotional attachment and ultimately impacting revisit intention. Through a survey of DMZ visitors and the application of structural equation modeling, this study explores the dynamics of DMZ tourists’ allegiance. The findings reveal a positive relationship between sociocultural motivation and destination engagement, emotional attachment, and revisit intention. Destination engagement positively affects emotional attachment, albeit indirectly influencing revisit intention. Emotional attachment positively influences revisit intention. Furthermore, this study identifies notable moderating effects of DMZ tourists’ residency. Specifically, sociocultural motivation more strongly influences revisit intention, and destination engagement has a stronger impact on emotional attachment in international tourists compared to domestic tourists.

Examining leisure constraints and motivations within the psychological continuum model: a study among recreational video gamers

ABSTRACT This study investigates perceived leisure constraints and motivations among Iranian gamers, employing the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM). Targeting recreational gamers under 30 years old, dedicating 1 to 6 hours per week to gaming, we utilised (D. Funk et al. 2008) PCM stages questionnaire, Crawford’s et al. (1991) perceived hierarchical leisure constraints questionnaire, and Cianfrone et al. (2011) motivations questionnaire. Our analysis, featuring One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for constraints and motivations across PCM stages and Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) for psychological communication, revealed compelling insights. Results indicate a noteworthy increase in perceived constraints with PCM progression (p < 0.05), highlighting significant differences in dimensions such as interest, time involvement, facilities, cost, and interpersonal aspects (p < 0.05). Concurrently, motivations progressively rise with PCM advancement, showcasing significant variations in competition, diversion, fantasy, and social interaction dimensions (p < 0.01). This study’s significant findings illuminate the evolving landscape of constraints and motivations across distinct PCM stages, offering valuable implications for comprehending gaming behaviours within this demographic.

The impact of subjective consumer knowledge on consumer behavioral loyalty through psychological involvement and perceived service quality: sports clubs

PurposeThe study advances an enhanced model encompassing psychological involvement, denoted as the psychological continuum model (PCM) and perceived customer service quality as intermediaries in the association between subjective customer knowledge (SCK) and behavioral loyalty. The purpose of this study is to assess the mediating role of psychological engagement and consumers' perceived service quality in the relationship between SCK and behavioral loyalty among members of nonprofit sports service organizations. Additionally, the study aims to examine the impact of membership duration on the relationship between consumer knowledge and behavioral loyalty.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a quantitative research design, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 527 members of nonprofit Chinese sports clubs who were selected using a simple random sampling technique. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was developed to measure all constructs in the intended research model. The suitability of the measurement model was analyzed by performing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data using AMOS-24.FindingsThe results of the overall direct effect indicate a significant influence of subjective knowledge on perceived service quality, perceived service quality significantly and positively influences psychological engagement; psychological engagement was found to be an important predictor of consumer behavioral loyalty.Originality/valueThe results offer information for nonprofit sports club (NPSC) managers who seek to increase the attractiveness and retention of their clubs' members by establishing the importance of subjective consumer knowledge.

Adaptation of Sports Involvement Scale to Turkish Culture: A Validity and Reliability Study in Football Spectators

The Psychological Continuum Model (PCM) represents a gradual change of attitude formation. The continuum in the model is divided into four stages (Awareness, Attraction, Attachment, and Allegiance), which represent the formation of attitudes and involvement levels in increasingly stronger degrees towards the sport object (Funk &amp; James, 2001). The first aim of the research is to adapt the Sports Involvement staging tool/scale developed for sports spectators by Doyle et al. (2013) within the scope of PCM for Turkish culture. The second aim of the research is to examine the differences in resistance to change levels of sports spectators regarding their involvement profiles. A total of 239 (x̄age = 37.00±14.46) football spectators aged between 18-70 participated in the study [56 female (x̄age = 31.79±13.29) and 183 male (x̄age = 38.59±14.47)]. CFA was performed for adapting the scale. The findings of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed that the Sports Involvement Scale represented its structural validity and psychometric properties as in the original scale (Chi-square/sd = 2.43, p

Philanthropic CSR Participation Intention among Sport Spectators and Fans within the Psychological Continuum Model

The present study utilized a scenario-based cross-sectional survey to assess whether the participation intention toward a sport team’s philanthropic corporate social responsibility (P-CSR) initiative varies among sport spectators and fans based on their strength of psychological connection to the team. Among the four groups (i.e. awareness, attraction, attachment, and allegiance) introduced by the psychological continuum model (PCM), the study found a statistical difference in P-CSR participation intention across most groups within the high P-CSR condition. In the low P-CSR condition, the attachment and the allegiance groups were the only categories with no difference in P-CSR participation intention. The study provides theoretical contributions to the PCM literature, as it is the first to use a self-classification method to segment fans into their respective PCM stages. The study also has meaningful implications for sport practitioners who thrive on interacting with their consumers by developing a community through P-CSR initiatives.

Taking fan engagement to a new level – assessing sports consumer interest in virtual environments and Web3 activations

PurposeThis paper explores sports consumer interest in virtual environments (VE) and Web3 activations, specifically how the level of psychological involvement, consumers' generational cohorts and previous experience with VE and Web3 activations influence consumer interest in VE and Web3 products and services related to their favorite sports team.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument was developed and distributed online resulting in a sample size of n = 526. The survey was designed to measure consumers' psychological involvement with their favorite sports team based on the Psychological Continuum Model, and to determine respondents' interest in potential VE and Web3 activations. Finally, the survey collected demographical information and data regarding respondents' previous experience with VE and Web3 applications. Multiple regression analysis was subsequently conducted to predict the impact of (1) psychological involvement, (2) consumers' generational cohorts and (3) previous experience with VE and Web3 activations on the dependent variable consumer interest in VE and Web3 activations.FindingsThe regression model showed a significant impact of the independent variables on consumer interest in VE and Web3 activations with consumer involvement exerting the highest influence. Consumers' previous experience with VE and Web3 applications also seems to trigger interest, in line with the consumption capital theory. This study also suggests that younger generational cohorts are not intrinsically more attracted to VE and Web3 activations but their interest seems to depend on the type of activation.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is intended as a first assessment of independent variables that may have an impact on sports consumer interest in VE and Web3 activations. Further research is needed to assess the impact these variables combined with other indicators may have on consumer interest, for instance by employing a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. This research included selected VE and Web3 applications comprising online games, NFTs and cryptocurrencies, to calculate a VE and Web3 Literacy Score for the purpose of this paper. However, the “umbrella term Web3” (Wang et al., 2022) could indicate a number of additional applications not considered in this research. Future studies could examine sports consumer experience with additional Web3 activations when assessing VE and Web3 Literacy.Practical implicationsThe results of this research imply the need for a diversification of the VE and Web3 portfolio offered by sports teams to cater to different consumer segments. Upcoming challenges for sports teams include motivating younger consumers to take an interest in Web3 activations beyond gaming. Additionally, sports teams should encourage loyal supporters in the advanced stages of the PCM who possess limited VE and Web3 experience, to engage in VE and Web3 activations through simplified offers complementing their overall fan experience.Originality/valueVE and Web3 activations currently offered by sports teams are still in their early stages and data underpinning their success is scarce. This is the first study examining variables that may influence consumer interest in a sports context.

Destination and Sport Event: Image, Attachment and Loyalty Relationship

The objective of this study is to evaluate how Psychological Continuum Model (PCM) may be used to foster image, attachment, and loyalty to a sporting event destination. This study was undertaken in conjunction with the MotoGP race at the Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia. A random sample of events was chosen to test the suggested model's validity. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was used in this study to examine 367 questionnaires that Indonesian respondents filled out on the spot. Using the PCM framework, this study was able to find that event image can increase event attachment, but not destination loyalty based on our findings. Individuals are more likely to have experiences related to events and destinations when the psychological link between people and those events or destinations grows. Event-related variables, rather than destination-related variables, entice travelers since they are more easily influenced by the event.

Sport Fan Motivation: A Comparison of Local, Nonlocal, and Distant National Basketball Association Fans in the United States and China

The aim of the current study was to examine the sport motivations of three types of National Basketball Association fans based on their geographic proximity to the team: local fans (i.e., U.S.-based fans of a local team), nonlocal fans (i.e., U.S.-based fans of a nonlocal team), and distant fans (i.e., China-based fans). The author used the psychological continuum model to measure level of psychological involvement with the team in order to determine whether fans were casual, moderate, or loyal. Using one-way analyses of variance and factorial analyses of variance, the author found that Chinese distant fans reported the highest motivation for seven of the nine types of motivation measured. Results also show that geographic locality predicted significant motivational differences among casual and moderate fans but not among loyal fans. The findings have both theoretical and applied implications and call for stronger focus on the influence of locality in the sport industry.

Toward Attachment: Motivation to Participate in Charity Sporting Events

Charity sporting events (CSEs) are special events, focused on a cause, with an added element of physical activity, and operate with the goal to raise funds, awareness, and garner support for an organization's cause. CSEs have become increasingly meaningful and popular in recent years among various nonprofit organizations. Using the psychological continuum model (PCM) as the theoretical framework, this study examined the factors that contribute to participants' motivation. This mixedmethod study included a postevent questionnaire that was administered to participants in a cycling event (N =104) to investigate the relationships among recreation and charity motives, event attachment, and behavioral intention. Also interviews (N = 58) were conducted examining motives. Results revealed that recreation and charity motives both have a significant impact on event attachment, but slightly more so for this small-scale event than a large event. Implications for management and future research were discussed.

Consumer profiles of women’s football spectators

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was the segmentation of women’s football spectators based on their hierarchical involvement. Furthermore, distinct consumer profiles were derived by enriching the segments with socio-economic, behavioural, and psychological variables. Using a survey, data were collected during a German women’s national football match (n = 693). The psychological continuum model was employed to segment the spectators. Four distinct consumer profiles, hierarchically aligned based on involvement, were created. The results indicated an increase in the consumer’s psychological connectedness while showing more robust behavioural patterns dependent on the involvement stages. Practitioners should acknowledge the four different stages of involvement, which align with different ages and income levels. This research contributed to the existing literature by supplementing the scant research using the psychological continuum model (PCM) as a segmentation tool over traditional cluster analysis on passive sport consumption.

Promoting on-going participation in group fitness among older adults: An application of the Psychological Continuum Model

The purpose of this case study was to explore older adults’ experience of participation in a community-based group fitness program at a local recreation center that has long-term participation with many participants consistently attending for multiple years. Data were collected through individual interviews with program members (n = 23) and through participant observation. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings suggested that participants became engaged in the program through a process reflected by the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM). The findings provide insight into elements of the program that promoted awareness and fostered attraction, attachment, and allegiance among participants. The paper discusses how the PCM can be applied to fitness programs for older adults to promote long-term participation.

Connecting Customer Knowledge Management and Intention to Use Sport Services Through Psychological Involvement, Commitment, and Customer Perceived Value

Despite the increasing importance of customer knowledge management (CKM) as a strategic resource for sport service organizations, little sport management research has examined the link between CKM and consumers’ intention to use sport services. Using the psychological continuum model as the theoretical framework, this study examines whether CKM predicts consumers’ intention to use sport services. Participants (N = 686) were recruited from nonprofit sports clubs in Urmia, Iran. Structural equation modeling results revealed positive relationships between CKM, psychological involvement, perceived value, commitment, and intention to use. Furthermore, both CKM and psychological involvement had positive indirect effects on intention to use through perceived value and commitment. Findings from this study highlight the importance of psychological involvement and perceived value in promoting intention to use sport services at nonprofit sports clubs and CKM’s role as a key antecedent.

테니스 참여자의 단계별 참여정도와 몰입 분석 : 심리적 지속 모델(PCM)을 바탕으로

테니스 참여자의 단계별 참여정도와 몰입 분석 : 심리적 지속 모델(PCM)을 바탕으로

An examination of recreational golfers’ psychological connection, participation behavior, and perceived constraints

The purpose of this study was to examine continued sport participation by linking psychological connection with participation behavior and constraints. Recreational golfers (N = 714) completed a survey based on the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM), leisure constraints, and participation behavior items. Participants were classified into four PCM levels: awareness (n = 51), attraction (n = 133), attachment (n = 357), and allegiance (n = 173). Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) revealed unique characteristics for each PCM level based on participation behavior, where higher PCM levels related to more participation behavior. With respect to constraints, self-confidence and interest were more associated with lower PCM levels and structural and social factors were associated with higher PCM levels. The findings contribute to theory on continued participation in sport and leisure and provide empirical evidence for the PCM and leisure constraints frameworks.

A Study on the Korean equestrian participation process based on revised Psychological Continuum Model

This study aimed at testing a theoretical framework applicable to equestrian participation process based on revise PCM. This study revisited and revised PCM to deal with limitations that an initial model has, and analyzed the framework in terms of equestrian activity to understand equestrian participation process as a whole. The study model was tested among equestrian participants in Korea and used survey method to collect 320 questionnaires. Total 312 questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS and AMOS, and used to conduct frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling. The results are as follows. First, favor on a horse and achievement factors positively affected all the involvement factors, and media and promoting friendship factors positively affected self-expression and centrality factors. However, pursuit of health factor did not affect all the involvement factors. Second, attraction factor had positive effect on volitional choice factor however no effect was observed on informational complexity or position involvement factors. In addition, centrality factor did not affect all the commitment formative factors while self-expression factor positively affected all. Third, informational complexity and volitional choice factors had positive effect on resistance to change factor, however, position involvement had no effect on resistance to change factor. Fourth, resistance to change factor positively affected loyalty factor.

Rethinking segmentation within the psychological continuum model using Bayesian analysis

The Psychological Continuum Model (PCM) represents a theoretical framework in sport management to understand why and how consumer attitudes form and change. Prior researchers developed an algorithmic staging procedure using psychological involvement to operationalize the PCM framework within sport and recreational contexts. Although this staging procedure is pragmatically sound, it rests upon a procedure that, while intuitively sensible, lacks scientific rigor. The current research offers an alternative approach to PCM segmentation using Bayesian Latent Profile Analysis (Bayesian LPA). Comparing three analyses (the conventional PCM segmentation algorithm, K-means clustering, and Bayesian LPA), results demonstrated that Bayesian LPA provides a promising and alternative statistical approach that outperforms the conventional PCM staging algorithm in two ways: (a) it has the ability to classify individuals into the corresponding PCM segments with more distinct boundaries; and (b) it is equipped with stronger statistical power to predict conceptually related distal outcomes with larger effect size.

Physically Active Leisure Participants Segmentation: PCM Stage-Based Investigation

Recent recreation and sports marketing research demonstrates that involvement can be used as a new segmentation strategy and offers potential opportunities for better understanding of leisure participants. In the current study, the three-step the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM) segmentation procedure was performed for participant segmentation by using physically active leisure involvement profiles. This study consisted of 561 (nmale=321 and nfemale=240) physically active leisure participants and three involvement facets of hedonic value, centrality and symbolic value were conducted to segment participants. Confirmatory factor analysis, the Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis of variance were used for data analysis. Our findings showed that a significant majority of the participants were allocated to the attraction stage (n = 306, 54.5%) and awareness (n = 106, 18.9%), attachment (n = 104, 18.5%) and allegiance (n = 45, 8%), respectively. Consequently, the segmentation revealed that differences in attitudes from awareness to attraction, attachment and allegiance stages, become strengthened among physically active leisure participants. Thus, this information can be used to better understand the leisure activity participation habits of students for marketers-practitioners.

Do not bet on your favourite football team: the influence of fan identity-based biases and sport context knowledge on game prediction accuracy

ABSTRACTResearch question: While the influence of sport context knowledge, such as home advantage and team ranking, on prediction accuracy has been discussed in the previous literature, the role of identity-based biases, such as fans’ level of team involvement and the selection of their favourite team, in betting behaviour remain unclear. The main purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of how sport fans’ biases and sport context knowledge influence the accuracy of sport game predictions.Research methods: A smartphone application enabled us to collect real soccer game predictions and results. A total of 529 football fans participated in 53,943 predictions of 2353 professional football games within a mobile smartphone application. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions were used to analyse the data.Results and findings: Chi-square test results indicate that individuals overestimate their favourite team to win, as well as they split their predictions into dichotomous outcomes by overestimating wins and losses and underestimating draws. Logistic regression analyses indicate that identity-based biases negatively influence prediction accuracy, whereas individuals’ sport context knowledge positively contributes to prediction accuracy.Implications: The study contributes to our understanding of the Psychological Continuum Model, individual biases, social identity theory and the psychological concept of splitting. Findings have implications for organizations who need to understand fans’ sport gambling behaviour and sport fans who seek to optimize their game prediction accuracy to improve their bets and fantasy team selections.

Psychological Connection to Pickleball: Assessing Motives and Participation in Older Adults.

The purpose of this study was to examine psychological connection to the sport of pickleball by investigating active older adults (55 years and older) in relation to behavioral involvement and motives for participation. Data were collected via an online survey of a representative sample of active pickleball players in North Carolina (N = 690). The psychological continuum model (PCM) categorized players into four distinct connection levels of Awareness, Attraction, Attachment, and Allegiance. Participants on each PCM level were analyzed based on playing length, play frequency, and motivations for participation (Competition, Diversion, Fitness, Skill Mastery, and Socialization). Results showed respondents at the highest PCM levels have played pickleball for at least 1 year and play at least 10 times per month. Although Fitness and Socialization were reported as the most important motives for the entire sample, Competition and Skill Mastery were viewed significantly higher for respondents at higher PCM levels.

The distant fan segment

PurposeWith the available technological tools, fans are able to access sport products regardless of geographic proximity. Through technology, fans can follow sports teams from other countries. In contrast to previous research focused on the local fan, in this paper we report on a study of a group of distant fans – Chinese National Basketball Association (NBA) fans – as the focal object. The study was guided by three questions: RQ1: what motives drive a distant fan’s involvement with their favorite NBA team? RQ2: are there differences in the motives associated with the different stages of psychological connection among distant fans? RQ3: are there differences in the amount of media consumption at the different stages of psychological connection? The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was distributed to consumers of a Chinese sports message board to assess the motives of distant fans (n=281) following teams in the NBA, and strength of psychological connection to the NBA based on the psychological continuum model (PCM).FindingsThere were significant differences in the motives for following a distant NBA team among the respondents at different stages of psychological connection. Significant differences were also found among Chinese NBA fans at the respective stages regarding media consumption.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding sport fandom. It is one of the first studies to include an assessment of the sport consumption motives of distant fans, more specifically, motives influencing Chinese fans’ consumption of the NBA. Utilizing the PCM allows for the segmentation of a specific fan population and to ascertain whether there are differences in the motives and behaviors associated with different stages of an individual’s psychological connection with a team.