LE3 .A278 2022

2022

Shields, Chris

Acadia University

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Honours

Kinesiology

Kinesiology

The purpose of this study was to determine how young adults perceive risk as reflected in extreme sports and daily/recreational activities. This was done using a multi-phased, mixed-methods approach across two separate studies. Study 1 used photovoice methodology in which participants (n=5) submitted photos of sports and daily/recreational activities that reflected scenarios they perceived to be of a high risk and a low risk activity in each category. Participants also provided a brief description of why the photos were chosen. Study 2 included two phases. In the first phase participants (n=142) were given images of extreme sport and daily/recreational activities in line with those submitted in the first study and were asked to assign a risk score for each activity and provide a one-word description to describe the image. The potential moderators of neuroticism, and physical activity level were also assessed via self-report. In the second phase the participants were randomly assigned to one of two vignettes that described either a rock climber, or a potentially impaired driver for a daily/recreational activity and asked to react to the behaviours of the individuals portrayed in the vignette. Overall, these analyses found little difference in the way in which young adults perceive risk across sports and daily activities and no moderating effects were found. There were differences noted in the way in which extreme sports athletes and the people who engaged in the daily/recreational activities were viewed. The vignette analysis showed that participants thought the rock climber had a stable personality and was in control of the situation; in contrast the potentially impaired driver was seen to have conflicting personalities and might have not been in full control of the situation. These findings reveal young adults see extreme sports and daily/recreational activities as having similar levels of risk but hold differing views regarding the people who engage with these sports and activities.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3764