psychology of travel

7/30/2019 Psychology of Travel

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Psychology of

Travel


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Why Travel?

There are various reasons why an

individual wants to travel

escape

relax/relief of tension

family togetherness/interpersonal relations

maintain social contacts

wanderlust

scenery


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Motive

An internal factor that arouses, directs and

integrates a persons behavior

~ Murray (1964)

Can not be observedbut must be inferred


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Motivation

A force within an individual which causes

them to do something to fulfill a biological

need or psychological desire


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PUSH FACTORS: influencing why theperson wants to go (person-specific

motivations)

why go on holiday? Why choose a particular type of holiday

PULL FACTORS: the attraction to a

holiday choice (destination-specificattributes)

these determine which destination is chosen

Motivating Factors


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Forces Influencing the

Individual

Internal

Attitudes

Values Perception

Learning

Personality

Motives

PUSH FACTORS


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Forces Influencing the

Individual

External

Social and family roles

Social class Environmental

conditions

Surrounding cultures

Reference groups

PULL FACTORS


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Tourists Learning Process

Commercial

Social

Information Same Vacation Similar Vacation

Previous VacationPurchase

Combined

Motives Criteria Alternatives

Inclination


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Needs within the individual that motivate

the desire to travel, e.g:

Maslows hierarchy of needs:

Physiological needs, safety needs, social needs,esteem, self-actualisatoin

Motivation by purpose:

Physical motivators; cultural motivators;

interpersonal motivators; status & prestige

motivators


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MASLOWS NEEDS HIERARCHY

THEORY

Maslows message was simply this:

people always have needs, and whenone need is relatively fulfilled, others

emerge in a predictable sequence to

take its place.

(Preponent need is most motivating)


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THEORY

(continued)

Highest level

Self-actualization needs (being everythingone is capable of becoming)

Esteem needs (Self-respect; self-confidence)

Love needs (Social acceptance and affection)

Safety needs (Protection from the elements)

Physiological needs (Life-sustaining needs)

Lowest level

(Forms a pyramid of needs)


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Source: Data for diagram drawn from A. H. Maslow, A Theory of Human Motivation, Psychological Review,

50 (July 1943): 370-396.

Maslows Hierarchy of

Needs Theory


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THEORY(continued)

For Discussion: Which level of needsprimarily drives you at this point in your

life? Explain.


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MOTIVATION BY PURPOSE

People are motivated to do something

because of the four major motivators:PHYSICAL MOTIVATORS

CULTURAL MOTIVATORS

INTERPERSONAL MOTIVATORS

STATUS & PRESTIGE MOTIVATORS


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PHYSICAL MOTIVATORS

Related to

physical rest

sports participation

beach recreation

relaxing entertainment

Directly connected to health


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CULTURAL MOTIVATORS

From the word culture

religion

music

art

folklore

more for enrichment of knowledge of the other

countries


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INTERPERSONAL MOTIVATORS

Meeting other people

Visitin friends or relatives

Escape from routines


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STATUS & PRESTIGE MOTIVATORS

Concerns

ego needs

personal development

Trips related to

business

conventions

study

pursuit of hobbies and education


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Motivation by purpose, e.g. Wickens

(1994) in Chalkidiki peninsular, Greece:

Cultural heritage tourists

Ravers

Shirley Valentines

Heliolatrous

Lord Byrons



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Motivation as influenced by pressures

and forces from an individuals social

and cultural environment, e.g.

work: opposition/compensation theory & theextension model

social influences: family, reference groups, social

class, culture

modern society: the perception that vacations areessential wellbeing - to escape the hectic pace of

life: are we motivated more to escape than

discover..?..


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Stereotypes: Destn &

Tourist

Negative, inaccurate oversimplifications

lumping people into categories

Fosters discrimination or defamation

Tourist trap

Tourist nicknames


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Optimal Arousal Theory

Tourism is guided primarily by intrinsic

motives and the need to escape stress,

excessive stimulation, and the mundane

Through travel, the tourist seeks the

stimulation or the peace and tranquility

they may not have at home or work


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Theme

park

Museum

Art

gallery

Shopping

complex

Golf

course

excitement; risk & adventure; escapism; status

(best white knuckle ride)

learn something new; nostalgia; status if

internationally famous

aesthetic pleasure; relaxation; pursue a special

interest in art; status if see world famous

paintings

escapism; search for a bargain; status if bought

designer label product

exercise; make new friends; status if it is a

prestigious course

(source: Swarbrooke & Horner, 1999: 61)


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The generalised typologies of motivationtheory try to encompass complex &diverse motivations. It may be more

useful to: measure motivation related to specifictourism offerings/potential offerings &destinations;

look at the choice criteria governingdecisions, rather than underlying motivations(which people might not know or be preparedto admit!)

(Seaton, 1996: 72)


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Barriers to Travel

(constraints)

Cost

Time

Health

Family Stage

Lack of Interest

Fear and Security


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ANY QUESTIONS?


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THANKS

psychology of travel

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