A Preliminary Investigation of Sensation-Seeking and Risk-Based Recreation among College Students: Implications for Intramural and Outdoor Programs

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to examine sensation seeking tendencies and preference for risk-based recreational pursuits among college students who participated in intramural or outdoor programs, as well as students who had not participated in either. Also examined was expressed preference for one type of programming versus the other. The Sensation Seeking Scale Form V (Zuckerman, 1994) and Risk-Based Recreational Desires and Participation Scale were administered to students. Students who participated in outdoor programs (OP) scored higher on sensation seeking exhibiting greater tendencies (e.g., thrill and adventure seeking) than intramural program (IP) participants or nonparticipants (NP). The same was true for students who preferred outdoor versus intramural programming. Males who preferred OP versus IP scored higher on sensation seeking while this was not observed among females. OP participants engaged in more risk-based recreational pursuits than IP or NP, although over half of IP and NP expressed desire to participate in many of the pursuits not already engaged in by a majority. Implications for IP and OP development and marketing toward college students are discussed.