Instructions
A researcher was interested in learning about the reasons that people chose to engage in high-risk recreational activities. The sparse literature that exists indicates that these individuals were high in an aspect of personality labeled "sensation-seeking" - that they sought the thrill involved in taking risks and facing uncertain outcomes. The researcher felt there was more to be learned and that other factors might be explaining this preference as well. Not having a sound basis upon which to speculate, however, the researcher approached this research question in a more exploratory way - by interviewing them and letting the adventure enthusiasts themselves identify their motives and reasons. The researcher approached the ImNotScared Skydiving Club and asked for volunteers to attend a 2 hour focus group session. At that session the researcher asked the attending skydivers why they did what they did, and what they felt they got out of skydiving.
The following are excerpts from the transcripts of three of the skydivers:
CG: 32-year-old accountant, male, Caucasian, works full-time, married with 2 kids, club member for 3 years:
"Skydiving, man, it's my life! I work during the week, and I can't wait to get out of the city and get away from it all! There're no kids, no nagging wife or boss wanting me to do something or go somewhere or pointing out my mistakes. My life is my own! And it's SO beautiful up there! It's so blue and all. I love to feel like I'm floating and I'm just letting life take me wherever it wants and I know I'll be okay. I can control some aspects of where I go but I don't want to - I just want to give myself over to the bigger forces in the universe and become a part of them for a few minutes. There's nothing else like it. And when I get down I feel let down and I just want to go up again. And for several hours I feel so different - like it's just me in the world and I can be anyone I want to be and do anything I want to do. It's SO amazing! I've never found another way to feel this way. I'll never give it up - never!!!
MS: 24-year-old graduate student in English, male, African-American, single, club member for 1 year:
"You know, a lot of people think I'm crazy for doing this. They think I'm gonna die doing it and that it's stupid and all. But even if something goes wrong and I die I don't care, because it's such an amazing rush. I feel like I'm tempting death and so far I've won every time. I'm here talking to you about it now, right? Yeah, and I know what I'm doing and nothing's gonna happen. I could be walking across the street and get hit by a car, right?, and die tomorrow. And then I'd have regrets - what did I do for fun? Just go to work every day and come home and go grocery shopping or watch TV or something. It wouldn't be worth it. So now I get to say 'but look what I did with my life - I had fun and looked death in the eye!' And even if I quit tomorrow I still did it - and no one can ever take that away from me!"
RR: 31-year-old store manager, male, Caucasian, works full-time, married with no kids, club member for 8 years:
"My wife thinks I'm crazy, and she worries a lot when I go up. I prob'ly am a little crazy to do this. But it means a lot to me. It's hard to explain - there's such a rush of energy - I suppose it's adrenaline and all - and I can feel it all over my body - everywhere in my body. What else could you do to feel that way? It's not like anything else. Oh sure, maybe there's a few other things that would make me feel this way and take me over, but not too many. And I think I need to feel this - it's become like an addiction. I find I can't go too long without another jump - my body craves it! And my brain too! I don't ever want to stop 'cause I think if I ever had to I would just wither away."
Analyze the three transcripts above and also answer the questions below:
What themes did you find across the three transcripts you analyzed? Indicate themes that were ordinary, major, minor, unexpected, and hard-to-classify.
What conclusions can you draw about the research question from any broad or interconnected themes you detected?
Full Answer Section
- Identity/Self-Perception: Skydiving seems to contribute to their sense of self. CG feels like "it's just me in the world and I can be anyone I want to be and do anything I want to do" after a jump. MS sees it as a way to define his life and have a unique story ("look what I did with my life - I had fun and looked death in the eye!"). RR's dependence suggests it's become integrated into his sense of well-being ("I think if I ever had to I would just wither away").
Minor Themes:
- Control/Lack of Control: CG mentions controlling some aspects but prefers to "give myself over to the bigger forces," suggesting a paradoxical desire for both control and surrender. MS expresses a sense of control over "tempting death" ("so far I've won every time").
- Beauty/Aesthetics: CG explicitly mentions the visual appeal of being in the sky ("It's SO beautiful up there! It's so blue and all."). This suggests an appreciation beyond just the thrill.
- Social Disconnect/Individualism: CG's desire to get away from people ("no kids, no nagging wife or boss") points to a temporary desire for solitude and self-reliance during the activity.
Ordinary Themes:
- Awareness of Risk: MS acknowledges the perceived danger ("a lot of people think I'm crazy for doing this. They think I'm gonna die doing it"). RR also admits, "I prob'ly am a little crazy to do this" and notes his wife's worry. This indicates an understanding of the inherent risk involved.
- Time Commitment/Integration into Life: CG has been a club member for 3 years, MS for 1 year, and RR for 8 years, suggesting that skydiving is not just a fleeting interest but an integrated part of their lives.
Unexpected Themes:
- Addictive Quality: RR explicitly uses the term "addiction" to describe his need to skydive ("I find I can't go too long without another jump - my body craves it! And my brain too!"). This suggests a potentially physiological or psychological dependence beyond simple enjoyment.
- Existential Reflection: MS's contemplation of death and living a life without regrets ("what did I do for fun?") suggests a deeper, perhaps even existential, motivation behind his participation.
Hard-to-Classify Themes:
- "Bigger Forces in the Universe" (CG): This is a somewhat spiritual or philosophical notion that is unique to CG's perspective and doesn't neatly fit into typical psychological categories. It could relate to a sense of transcendence or connection.
Conclusions About the Research Question:
The analysis of these transcripts reveals that the motivation behind engaging in high-risk recreational activities like skydiving is multifaceted and extends beyond simply "sensation-seeking." While the "intense physical sensation/rush" is undoubtedly a significant factor, several other interconnected themes provide a more comprehensive understanding:
- Escape and Freedom as Primary Drivers: The desire to escape the pressures and routines of everyday life appears to be a powerful motivator. Skydiving offers a temporary liberation and a sense of personal autonomy.
- The Unique and Transformative Nature of the Experience: The skydivers consistently emphasize that the feeling is unparalleled, offering a profound shift in their perception of themselves and the world, even if temporary.
- Identity Formation and Self-Perception: For these individuals, skydiving seems to contribute to their sense of identity, providing a unique narrative and a feeling of being capable and perhaps even exceptional.
- The Potential for Dependence: RR's description of an "addiction" suggests that for some, the activity may become a necessary component of their emotional and physical well-being.
Broad and Interconnected Themes:
The major themes of escape/freedom, intense physical sensation/rush, and the uniqueness of the experience are closely intertwined. The escape provides the opportunity for the intense sensation, which in turn reinforces the feeling of freedom and the distinctiveness of the activity. Furthermore, this unique and powerful experience contributes to their identity and self-perception, making skydiving a significant aspect of who they are.
Conclusion Regarding the Research Question:
While "sensation-seeking" likely plays a role in the attraction to high-risk activities, this exploratory research suggests that it is not the sole or even the most dominant factor for these skydivers. The desire for escape and freedom from daily pressures, the pursuit of a unique and intensely physical experience, and the way the activity shapes their sense of self appear to be equally, if not more, significant motivators. The unexpected theme of potential addiction also warrants further investigation. Future research should explore these broader themes in a more structured manner to develop a more nuanced understanding of the psychology behind engaging in high-risk recreational activities.