Clear and unambiguous feedback: A transactional and motivational analysis of environmental challenge and self-encounter

This paper argues that a transactional and motivational common denominator underlying a variety of heretofore unsatisfactorily explained behaviors (e.g., running, mountain climbing, endurance activities, wilderness trekking) relates to the nature and quality of response-generated information received from one's external and internal environment while engaged in such activities. This view constitutes a theoretical synthesis of notions such as knowledge of results, competence motivation, sensation-seeking, flow, and intrinsic motivation. The argument is made that the nature of environmental transactions taking place during such experiences is qualitatively different from more routine individual-setting interactions in that sustained physical and/or sensory involvement generates feedback which is concrete, clear, and inherently reinforcing, in contrast to the ‘automatic responding’ which takes place in settings where feedback is non-novel and blurred. It is argued that particular environments and certain activities can facilitate such clear and meaningful feedback. The implications of this alternative conceptualization of the motivational and leisure activity literature are discussed with respect to the potential benefits of structured experience programs in wilderness settings.