RECOLLECTIONS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION EXPERIENCES - A PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

A laboratory experiment to examine psychophysiological responses assoc iated with the recollections of outdoor recreation experiences was con ducted. Forty-four subjects (41% female, mean age of total sample = 25 .2 years) recalled an active and passive outdoor recreation experience and a negative stressful (exam) experience. Recollections were compar ed on physiological responses (heart rate, systolic and diastolic bloo d pressure, and skin conductance) and psychological responses (negativ e and positive affect) using a repeated measures design. Overall, phys iological activation was greatest for exam and active recollections, p ositive mood was highest for active recollections, and negative mood w as lowest for passive recollections. Results were interpreted within t he framework of arousal theory. Implications for theoretical, applied and method issues in outdoor recreation research are discussed.