Toward an ecological approach to perceived crowding in outdoor recreation

Abstract

Perceived crowding in outdoor recreation research is generally approached from a sociological or interpersonal basis. The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual approach to perceived crowding where people/environment interactions are emphasized, rather than social relationships. Crowding is treated as a perceptual reaction to an environmental situation, where environmental constraints interfere with the functioning and task performances desired by an individual. It is postulated that crowding can occur without the presence of others, that it can be the result of functional density and not simply the result of social processes involving the interacting of others.

Key words:

• perceived crowding
• user density
• recreation behavior