| Resource dilemmas are characterized by the use and conservation of a particular resource. These dilemmas are further typified by the uncertainties about the resource and the decisions that others are making about it. Rational use leads to depletion and possible destruction. This characterization appropriately describes recreational resources where demands are leading to "continually eroding quality in both recreation opportunities and environments" (Dustin, McAvoy, & Schultz, 2002, p. 11-12).; The purpose of this study was to examine respondents' social value orientation and awareness of consequences. These measurements are a part of the Value, Belief, Norm (VBN) model of environmentalism and are theorized to affect intention to behave in a recreation resource dilemma scenario. Resulting information was used to test the effects of social value orientation and awareness of consequences on intention to behave. The effect of recreational activity on intention to behave was also examined.; The data indicate that social value orientation (SVO) was useful in discriminating between proself and prosocial orientations with regard to both pro-environmental and recreational behavioral intentions as well as awareness of consequences for others and for the environment. Awareness of consequences, however, was more strongly correlated to both pro-environmental and recreational behavioral intentions than SVO. As in previous studies on recreation and the environment, this study found mixed results among recreational groups with regard to behavioral intentions, social value orientation, and awareness of consequences.; Implication of the study is that the data presented here provide evidence that, within this given sample, the variables of social value orientation and awareness of consequences are indeed related to pro-environmental behavior. This knowledge encourages future testing of the VBN model. A successful model has unlimited potential in aiding managers in their decision making and helping them to find the balance between recreational experience and the resource. |
