Social values versus interpersonal conflict among hikers and mountain bikers

Conflict has traditionally been defined in terms of goal interference (inte rpersonal conflict) where the physical presence of one individual or group interferes with the goals of another individual or group. Recent research h as identified social values differences as an alternative explanation for c onflict. Social values conflict can occur between users with different beli efs and values, even if there is no contact between them. This article buil ds on this conceptual distinction by examining social values and interperso nal conflict reported by hikers (n = 210), mountain bikers (n = 163), and t hose who participate in both activities (n = 400). Data for this article we re obtained from onsite surveys. Respondents evaluated unacceptable behavio rs associated with hiking and mountain biking. Across all three groups, les s conflict was reported for hiking than for mountain biking. To the extent that conflict did exist for hiking, mountain bikers and dual-sport particip ants were more likely than hikers to report unacceptable behaviors. For eva luations of mountain biking behavior, hikers were more likely than mountain bikers to experience conflict, whereas dual-sport participants fell in bet ween these two extremes. All three groups reported more interpersonal than social values conflict.