Psychology of Tourism

While sociology focuses attention on groups and society psychology looks more closely at the individuals and intergroup relations. It explores perceptions, authenticity and motivation.

Prior to the 19th century it was thought that any attempt to understand human thought was in the realm of philosophy but with the19th century and Age of Reason we started to expect it possible to study all events scientifically including the mental processes. Psychologists offer a wide range of methods and perspectives on how human thought and behaviour can be studied which has led to a diversity of ways in which this can be used to understand tourists.

Pearce and Stringer (1991) explore different "levels of analysis". Each of these areas has its own special contribution to our understanding of tourism. These draw on other research areas from medicine and biology to anthropology. Together they can help to build up a more comprehensive understanding of tourists.

• Biological & physical processes
• Cognitive & mental processes
• Individual differences
• Behavioural processes
• Cross-cultural & between group behaviours
• Tourism on Blackboard.

Ross (1998) explores the psychology of tourism outside these boundaries. He reviews key psychological topic areas including motivation, personality, attitudes and relationship with the environment and how these help us to understand tourist behaviour. Ross also considers how human behaviour can be important in an organisational and societal context.


RELATED READING

Holden, A. (2005) Tourism Studies and the Social Sciences. Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon. (available on Ebook library)

Jafari, J. and Brent-Richie, J. (1981) Towards a Framework for Tourism Education: problems and prospects. Annals of Tourism Research 8, 13-33.

Pearce, P.L. and Stringer, P.F. (1991) Psychology & Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research Vol 18, pp136-154.

Ross, G.F. (1998) The Psychology of Tourism. Hospitality Press, Melbourne. (chapter 1)

Sharpley, R. (1994) Tourism, Tourists and Society. Elm Publications, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (chapter 1)