Lesson 6

Recreation
Recreation is an emotional condition within an individual human being that follows
from feeling of well being and satisfaction. It is characterized by feeling of mastery,
achievement, exhilaration, acceptance, personal worth, and pleasure. It reinforces a
positive self-image. Recreation is a response to esthetic experience, achievement of
personal goals or positive feedback from others.
Modifications and Innovations of Recreational Activities
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Rules
Equipments and supplies
Mode of movements
Venue/playing area
Time/duration of the day
Number of participants
Safety measures
Expert services
First aid kit

Characteristic of Recreation
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Choice of activity is voluntary

Recreation provides enjoyments
Recreation provides a refreshing change of face
Recreation is an activity opposed to idleness
Recreation is energizing
Recreation should be wholesome and constructive
Recreation should be socially acceptable
Recreation contributes to the physical and mental, and moral welfare of
individual or participants.
9. Recreation is broad in concepts
Factors affecting Recreation
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Economic
Urbanization
Technology
Standard of living
Population explosion
Threat of war
Education
Environment

The Nature and Significance of Leisure and Recreation

LEISURE the explanation falls into 4 general categories

1. Leisure as contemplation highly intellectual and cultural involvement; a
state of mind or being.
2. Leisure is pictured qualitatively as an ideal a collective of positives.
Kaplan describes this as the Humanistic Model. This concept includes those
definitions that describe leisure in terms of the face at which we do things.
We may perform our work or our recreation in a leisurely manner.
3. Leisure as an activity usually qualified as non-work activity. Many park
and recreation professionals are inclined to broaden this definition of leisure
to include self-fulfillment values and label the experience recreation instead
of leisure.
4. Leisure is that portion of time not obligated by subsistence or
existence demands. It presents free time in which one may mark
voluntarily choices of experience. This represents a block of time, big or small
in which the individual is free from the necessities of personal maintenance,
demands of employment and the obligations imposed by the family and other
institutions.

Theories of Play and Recreation

A. Biological Theories are said to be motivated or determined by instinct.
1. Surplus energy Herbert Spencer explains that play behavior is a
needed outlet for energies not used in productive activity. We have energy
left over and we are impelled to use it in play.
2. Relaxation/Recreation necessary to refresh one after labor. It has
recuperative effects. It retool ones energy to do a better job.
3. Pre-exercise/Instinct practice play is preparation for adult life.
Practicing the behavior prepares the child for adult life.
4. Recapitulation play is a result of biological inheritance.
B. Psycho-Analytical Theories is motivated by the unconsciousness of
motivation. It implicates the effect of the environment as an important factor.
Freud developed a psychoanalysis that pleasurable experiences are sought
and painful ones are avoided.
1. Catharsis play is safety valve for pent-up emotions. Aggressive
activities may actually increase or begets aggression, rather than drain off
aggressive tendencies.
2. Self-expression self-expression theory by Elmer Mitchell and
Bernard Mason was founded on the assumption that as active, dynamic
human beings, people seek to express themselves. Play is one result of
that expression.
3. Compensation preference are selected in order to compensate for the
inability to satisfy basic human needs in other life involvement.
4. Balance recreation experiences will lend balance to life. The balance
can be physical, psychological or social.

5. Spill-over/Familiarity people have the tendency to choose recreational

outlets that are familiar to them and thus provide less risk and more
chance for success.
C. Behavioral Theories emphasize the learning aspect of play. Chark Hull, a
behaviorist connected play with secondary reinforcement and resulting drive
reduction. Rewards are essential to learning and it is seen as reduction of a
drive state. Praise, recognition, etc. reinforce play. Satisfaction of needs is the
secondary reinforcement.
D. Cognitive Theories stress symbolic learning and interpersonal interaction.
Play is a function of information processing mechanism of an individual
1. Play as assimilation/accommodation according to Jean Piaget, a
Swedish psychologist, play is function of developing intellect.
2. Arousal Seeking play is caused by the generate interactions with the
environment or self that elevate arousal (level of interest or stimulation)
towards the optimal.

Values of Recreation
1. Physical well-being
2. Emotional Health
3. The quest for identity, commitment or a piece of action
4. Sense of community
5. Learning
6. Self-image, self-esteem and self-fulfillment
7. Personal development
8. Social interaction and social Integration
9. Adventure
10.The opportunity to find an acceptable balance
11.Community rewards