The relationship between the expressed need for affiliation and motivations for travel

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual framework and measures to identify the influence of the need for affiliation in shifts of motivations for travel. Based on a review of the literature a conceptual model was proposed relating the need for affiliation and the motivation for travel. The primary objective of the study was to develop stable measurement instruments of the need for affiliation and travel motivations. This was accomplished through the use of a self-administered questionnaire administered with a convenience sample collected at four locations: (1) senior citizens living in an independent retirement community in Lee's Summit, Missouri; (2) senior citizens living in an independent retirement community in Salt Lake City, Utah; (3) students attending the REPK 301 classes at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; and (4) students attending the RELE 192 classes at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. The need for affiliation was measured by using the Mehrabian Affiliative Tendency Scales. Travel motivation was measured by using the Driver Recreation Experience Preference Scales for the domains of achievement, risk-taking, being with people, family togetherness, meeting-observing new people, learning-discovery, relationship with nature, reflecting on personal values, nostalgia, physical rest, escape personal-social pressures, and escape family. Type of traveler was measured using the Plog Psychocentric-Allocentric Scales. Information was obtained through a series of respondent profile and travel profile questions. The results of the study support Mehrabian's need for affiliation model and the need for affiliation and its relationship to affiliative and non-affiliative travel motivations model. All null hypotheses were rejected with the exception of the fourth null hypothesis, regarding international travel experience. With regard to the motivations for travel, there was a significant difference between sub-groups as determined by the need for affiliation, traveler type, travel experience, gender, marital status, and age with regard to the motivations for travel.