Benckendorff, Pierre, and Pearce, Philip L. (2012) The psychology of events. In: Page, Stephen J., and Connell, Joanne, (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Events. Routledge, Milton Park, UK, pp. 165-185.

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Abstract

[Extract] The discipline of psychology consists of a sprawling array of theories, methods and levels of analysis as its researchers attempt to forge a scientific approach to the analysis of people's behaviour and experience. From its foundation period through to its most contemporary smnmaries, the discipline has been characterised by highly abstract areas of inquiry as well as substantial fields of applied expertise (Boring 1950; Fumham 2008). The present consideration of psychology and its contribution to the study of events draws on select insights from both the theoretical area and the applied fields. The specialised area of social psychology, which can be succinctly defined as how other people influence behaviour, is particularly relevant to the management of events as leisure activities. The initial section of this chapter briefly documents the main psychological concepts and applications which will be used to frame the present analysis of people's involvement in events. These considerations include a discussion of motivation and personality, role theory, identity and liminality, experience analysis, and post-event attitudes. The emotional, aesthetic and perfonnative labour which describes the world of event participants will also be reviewed. Additionally, the concepts of flow and mindfulness will be noted to help understand elite perfomlance. The key sections which then follow these introductory remarks are the psychology of event spectators and attendees, the psychology of event perfomlers and active participants, and then, briefly, the psychology of elite event participants. An organising diagram illustrating these links and approaches is provided in Figure 11.1.

Item ID:	20119
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-0-415-58334-3
Keywords:	psychology, crowding, motivation, experience economy and flow
Date Deposited:	18 Jun 2012 01:59
FoR Codes:	15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1506 Tourism > 150606 Tourist Behaviour and Visitor Experience @ 100%
SEO Codes:	90 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 9003 Tourism > 900302 Socio-Cultural Issues in Tourism @ 100%
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