Further clarification of interpersonal versus social values conflict: Insights from motorized and non-motorized recreational river users

This study examined interpersonal conflict and social values conflict among motorized and non-motorized river recreational users at a relatively low use recreation area in interior Alaska. Previous methodologies for operationalizing social values conflict are not conceptually clear and may result in individuals being classified into the wrong conflict typology. This study addressed these conceptual problems by: (1) introducing a new conflict typology to differentiate between social values conflict and latent problem behaviors and (2) by uniformly applying a non-behavior based measure to classify social values conflict. Data were collected using an on-site survey of motorized (n=26) and non-motorized (n=63) river recreational users at multiple put-in/take-out locations. To the extent that conflict existed, social values conflict was the most prevalent. A small but perceptible number of respondents in both user groups reported a latent-behavior conflict. The results of this study were compared to the results of studies using previous methodologies. Differences were found between the number of non-motorized respondents who were classified into the no conflict and social values conflict typologies.Management implicationsUnderstanding the underlying causes of recreation conflict is essential to implementing an effective management response. Research has increased our understanding of conflict, yet the refinement of measures continues. This study investigated measurement issues regarding interpersonal vs. social values conflict and the impacts on management recommendations.
• Correctly identifying conflict as interpersonal or social values is crucial to selecting the most appropriate management response.
• Future studies of recreation conflict should also include evaluations of latent-behavior conflict to identify users who simply have a problem with another’s behavior even though it is not evident as interpersonal or social values conflict.
• Evaluations of social values conflict should focus on non-behavior based measurements.
• Managers should apply a combination of management strategies to reduce conflict among river recreational users.
• Education efforts can be used to reduce social values conflict by broadening general understanding among users and dispelling myths. It can also be used to communicate generally accepted practices that can reduce or eliminate interpersonal and latent-behavior conflict.
• Zoning and alternative management strategies such as alternative infrastructure development can be used to reduce interpersonal conflict by limiting interactions between users, enhancing recreational opportunities, and maintaining quality recreational experiences for multiple use types.