A. Ewert, DIFFERENCES IN THE LEVEL OF MOTIVE IMPORTANCE BASED ON TRIP OUTCOME, EXPERIENCE LEVEL AND GROUP TYPE, Journal of leisure research, 25(4), 1993, pp. 335-349
This study investigated whether there are differences in the levels of
motive importance based on trip success and group membership. Success
was defined as reaching the summit of Mt. McKinley. Group type was ca
tegorized into guided, independent, or solo climbers. Data were analyz
ed on individual motives. In addition, a principal components factor a
nalysis with varimax rotation generated five factors that were then us
ed as an organizing frame-work for further analyses. Levels of motive
importance on both the factors and individual items were compared on o
utcome, experience-level and group type. Relative to trip outcome, sig
nificant differences in motive importance were observed on 20 of 31 it
ems and three of the five factors. Climbers reporting failure indicate
d higher levels of importance for disengagement, photography, wilderne
ss and scenery. Using group type, two factors (Exhilaration/Excitement
and Social Aspects) and 10 items generated significant differences. I
ndividuals from guided groups reported higher levels of motive importa
nce than solo climbers. The exception to this pattern was for the Cath
arsis/Escape factor, where solo climbers generally reported higher val
ues. It was argued that the data provide partial support for a ''motiv
ational matching'' concept.