Tourist theme parks

Research practices and possibilities

Bibliographic Data

ID11509752
AuthorsPhilip L Pearce (0000-0003-3829-4449, James Cook University of North Queensland, corresponding author), Gianna Moscardo (0000-0002-0443-7328, James Cook University of North Queensland)
Year1985
Volume20
Issue3
Pages303-312
Publication date1985-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAustralian Psychologist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0005-0067 • E-ISSN: 1742-9544
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00050068508256175
OpenAlexW2041846716
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited3

Theme parks represent a major development in contemporary leisure and recreation. Psychologists have not contributed very much to the research activities in such institutions but there is considerable scope for their involvement. In this article the results of a survey of theme park research is presented. The survey examined the research practices of 38 commercial and historic theme parks in both the United States and Australia. It is argued that current research practices lack conceptual focus, methodological rigour, and analytical sophistication, and that input from attribution theory, person-situation analysis and multivariate statistical procedures would improve the quality of theme park research. The possibilities of using the theme park context for academic studies in social, environmental, organizational, developmental and even physiological psychology are noted

Context (archaeology · Geography · Political science · Public relations · Recreation · Rigour · Scope (computer science · Social science · Sociology · Sophistication · Theme (computing · Theme park · Tourism · Adventure Sports and Sensation Seeking · Media Influence and Health · Media, Gender, and Advertising

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