The social psychology of leisure

Abstract

Many of us devote more time and energy to leisure than to work, because it is there that we can express ourselves, choose exactly what we want to do and often find our greatest satisfactions. Yet most psychologists have neglected this absolutely fundamental aspect of our lives.Leisure includes reading and religion, bungee-jumping and birdwatching, running marathons, helping the aged and slumping in front of soap operas. We socialize with family and friends or join clubs devoted to anything from collecting engine numbers to protecting the environment. We set off on holiday in pursuit of self-actualization - or just sun, sea and sex.In this eye-opening book, a companion volume to the author's acclaimed The Social Psychology of Work, Michael Argyle explores our motivation in all these activities, examines the influence of age, class and gender and considers where we are most likely to find health, happiness, a sense of achievement and other such benefits. His conclusions challenge much received wisdom about human nature and illuminate the sources of our deepest pleasures. As the work ethic is eroded and more and more leisure time becomes available, no one will be able to ignore the issues raised by this pioneering text.