AN EXPLICATION, EVALUATION, AND EXTENSION OF THE DRIVER-TOCHER THEORY OF RECREATION BEHAVIOR: AN EXEMPLAR FOR THEORY DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES

In this study, the Driver-Tocher Theory of Recreation Behavior was explicated, evaluated, and extended through the use of logical and empirical methods for theory analysis and construction. The Theory's explication furnished the reader with information necessary to understand both the Theory's content and the Theory's form. The detailed explication drew from many related pieces of literature in order to organize all of the Theory's content into one unified whole.;As the Driver-Tocher Theory seeks to describe and explain recreation behavior, the evaluation included analysis with respect to the adequacy of the Theory's classifications, conceptual and operational definitions, and connections. In-depth examples of the procedures for evaluation were given. The technique of digraphing was used as a formal method for examining coherence and completeness. The Driver-Tocher Theory was found to be externally coherent with and well grounded in extant theory and fact. Although previous research has verified many of the Theory's concepts and linkages, sets of relationships among concepts were identified as needing further development and verification. Thus the emergent nature of the theory was established.;In the extension phase, the Driver-Tocher Theory was made more complete and comprehensive through the use of logical and conceptual analysis and related theory. One example was demonstrated for each extension procedure including restructuring of a classification, restructuring of a set of relationships, formalization of a set of relationships, and extension of both theoretical and operational definitions. An example of research hypothesis development, based on the Theory as extended was also given.;The Driver-Tocher Theory, as developed herein, is more complete and comprehensive than other theories that have been presented in the field of recreation and leisure studies. It incorporates information from many other theories both within and outside the field to produce one comprehensive theory of recreation behavior.;The Theory, as extended, provides a formal integration of research which describes and explains recreation behavior. As such, it moves toward meeting the criteria for acceptance as an adequate scientific theory of recreation or leisure behavior.