Leisure, recreation, tourism: a symbolic interactionism view.

Abstract After a brief description of basic tenets of symbolic interactionism, research on leisure, recreation, and tourism (LRT) is examined using this perspective. Attention is given to demonstrating the utility of Symbolic Interactionism in understanding LRT as forms of learned and symbolically transmitted social action. Symbolic interactionism is based on the premise that human society is characterized by the use of symbols and meanings, meanings are derived through social interaction with “others” but can be modified by an individual. Situations, roles, and audiences, including “others” and reference groups, have meanings and provide the context in which the action or behavior occurs. Research findings in leisure, recreation, and tourism fit the symbolic interactionism paradigm.

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