Solitude at Grand Canyon: an application of expectancy theory

Abstract

The desire for solitude and its fulfillment at Grand Canyon are examined through the framework of expectancy theory. In order to associate variations in solitude fulfillment with backcountry management policy, motive fulfillment is conceptualized as an effect of the environment. Results indicate that 20% of hikers who desired solitude were not fulfilled. There were variations in solitude fulfillment between three distinct backcountry use zones. Management restrictions on camping could be linked to responses indicating spatial variations in solitude fulfillment between use zones.

KEYWORDS:

• expectancy theory
• motives
• settings
• solitude