Conflict as a social interaction process in environment and behaviour research: the example of leisure and recreation research

Abstract

Social and psychological conflict is defined within the framework of the environment and behaviour perspective and distinguished from a related concept, crowding. Examples from leisure and recreation research, where 'conflict' is commonly recognized, are used to introduce the theoretical argument. Previous work in this area, intended to serve applied aims, has been too descriptive and this emphasises the value of a more fundamental approach. This is clear from the practical implications of the argument and it is suggested that for resource managers to be effective they must be able to understand and anticipate conflict rather than simply react to established conflicts which may not be easy to eliminate. Two theoretical propositions are put forward to develop an earlier definition of conflict.