Walking Off-Trail in National Parks: Monkey See Monkey Do

Abstract

This study extended the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to embrace the pro-environmental construct in predicting visitor off-trail behavioral intentions at national parks. Quantitative questionnaire items were developed through an elicitation study and empirically tested among 325 respondents. Empirical results revealed overall predictive variance of 21.7 percent (R 2) in predicting visitor off-trail intentions. Behavioral beliefs predicted most of behavioral intentions followed by normative beliefs. The contribution of control beliefs and proenvironmental values had the weakest predictive power. Among the behavioral beliefs, visitors had the strongest belief that walking off the trails would lead to a shorter route. Friends as a reference group were the strongest normative belief that influenced off-trail intentions. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

“Minor crimes” against wildlife: Small offenses, lasting impact, and a proposed solution

“…As we expected, interventional messaging helps to decrease the likelihood that consumers claim they will participate in wildlife jams. However, contrary to our expectations, our findings showed In other words, visitors who saw others walking off-trail were more likely to do so themselves (Goh, 2020). (Minton & Cornwell, 2016).…”

“…While no research to‐date has empirically tested this assumption in relation to wildlife jam events, recent research examining visitor off‐trail behavior (i.e., visitors who walked off of designated trails) in an Australian national park found a strong normative component for this behavior. In other words, visitors who saw others walking off‐trail were more likely to do so themselves (Goh, 2020).…”

“…However, we show that messaging targeting subjective norms were most effective in comparison to messaging targeting the attitude or perceived behavioral control components of the theory of planned behavior. While normative influence has not been directly tested during wildlife jam events, other negative recreation behaviors (such as visitors traveling off of designated trails) have been shown to have a strong normative component (Goh, 2020). The important social nature of wildlife jam events, as well as the lack of perceived behavioral control that people may experience relative to jam events (i.e., becoming stuck in a wildlife jam unintentionally) may help to explain why the messaging targeting subjective norms were the most effective in this study.…”

Predicting physical distancing on recreational trails during COVID-19

“…This study advanced our understanding of distancing by collecting actual, in-situ behavioral data and evaluating manageable features that contribute to physical distancing compliance: wider trails, unpaved surfaces, small group sizes, and pedestrian or mixed-use groups. Findings mirror previous trail-behavior research where group size and available infrastructure influence behavior (Patten et al, 2006; Goh 2020 ). Subsequently, if faced with limited resources, managers can hone their attention on the places where distancing is less likely: narrower, paved trails with larger group sizes.…”

Exertional heat fatalities in Australian sport and recreation

“…Previous studies have considered peoples' behaviours in National Parks, exploring, for example, their reasons for walking off trail or for leaving rubbish behind. 13,14 Similar study designs addressing why choices are made to continue activity in risky conditions would be valuable in developing prevention strategies. We suggest that a reasonable proportion of people might not view hiking as a high risk activity, as described in a study of safety messaging in parks where incidents that occur are often attributed to the "visitors' failure to understand the seriousness of risk in unfamiliar and unpredictable natural environments.…”