Social psychological explanations for the persistence of a conflict between paddling canoeists and motorcraft users in the boundary waters canoe area

Abstract

A one‐way conflict has existed between paddling canoeists and motorcraft users in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) for over 15 years. Similar conflicts have been shown to occur between mechanized and nonmechanized recreationists in other settings. This paper, using social psychological attraction theory, attempts to explain why the conflict occurs and why it persists in a particular area. We examined perceived similarity, perceptions of the BWCA, reasons for coining to the BWCA, competition for resources, and greeting behaviors as factors influencing the asymmetric antipathy. The data were collected from two high density sites within the BWCA. A field questionnaire followed by a mailed questionnaire was administered to 300 people. The response rate was 65 percent. The data analysis reveals that the factors listed above do influence the asymmetric relationship, and differences in them help to perpetuate the conflict. The data also reveal areas of similarity between the two groups.