Date of Award

January 2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Justin D. McDonald

Abstract

To date, no empirical studies have investigated the relationship between psychopathology (or other constructs) pertaining to hunting and fishing attitudes, behaviors and ethics relating to gender and aggression. Although experienced outdoorspeople assumedly adhere to, or are at least aware of, general hunting and fishing codes of ethics, many disregard them. This study investigates the differences between men and women on these variables by utilizing a newly developed measure of hunting and fishing attitudes and beliefs, the Sportsperson Attitude Scale (SAS) (McDonald, Williams, Sargent & McDonald 2017). This measure was created in order to better understand the potential motivators and reinforcers of both positive and negative outdoor behaviors. In addition, the Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) (Buss & Perry 1992) will be utilized to investigate potential concurrent validity, as well to corroborate SAS characteristics. More specifically, this study will compare SAS and BPAQ scores to determine relationships between primary constructs each scale measures, and then further investigate these findings in accordance with gender, as well as other demographic items further detailed herein. Understanding the association between these variables may enhance one’s understanding of motives behind unethical hunting behaviors and attitudes.

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