Norm Crystallization: Measurement and Comparative Analysis

Normative theory and methods have become increasingly important in outdoor recreation research and management as an approach to formulating standards of quality in parks and related areas. An important issue associated with this research is the level of agreement or consensus about social norms called crystallization. A new measure, Van der Eijk's measure of agreement (A), is proposed and applied in this study. A test of the effect of potential independent variables on crystallization is also applied using a comparative analysis conducted across a number of studies administered in U.S. national parks. Study findings indicate a generally high level of crystallization regarding normative standards of quality and show several independent variables that influence crystallization, though the effects are generally small.