In the article Fear and adventure tourism in Brazil, the authors have communicated logically, to their audience; people who love adventure, the role of emotions and perceptions experienced during the exploration undertakings, and in the hunt for an ideal stimulation level. The title of the article is clear and concise, and the reader can plainly understand the core idea of the subject discussed from the formal language used. The natural resources in Brazil have been used extensively to support the country's tourism industry. The empirical literature has designated fear as one of the key sensations in adventurous events, and the study was meant to inspect the manifestation of fear prior to, and after three activities namely: rock-climbing, parachuting, and white-water rafting. It was also intended to consolidate fear as a vital reaction in carrying out these activities, in order to enlighten further studies in this field (Sandro Carnicelli-Filho).
Background of the study
According to the authors, the advent of the industrial revolution, which brought the migration of resources and people, have made human beings distance themselves from nature. Similar opinions from (Veenhoven, 2005), suggest that in the current world, man is facing a deterioration in the value of life. As such, this is caused by several stress influences such as an inactive way of life and intensifying violence in the day-to-day experiences, which can create imbalances, especially psychological and physiological. However, the authors believe that there is a contact between human beings and nature, though some aspects such as technology have impacted on the association more negatively. Nevertheless, some undertakings meant to bring people closer to nature have been evaluated (Sandro Carnicelli-Filho). An example of such activities carried out today is hiking and mountain climbing, which enables people to relate to the environment more intimately as they get to enjoy the fascination it provides. In addition, the pursuit of newfangled emotions and ambiances that break the monotony of unchanged practices has become a pivotal reason to participate in these activities, which heighten the opportunity for new experiences and relaxation.
Furthermore, the vast natural resources such as national parks, rivers, and waterfalls in Brazil which are tourist hubs, encourage adventurous activities; thus stimulating new practices, particularly emotional experiences to those who are proficient in them. What better activity can intrigue one's emotions than the appeal of nature? The adventure offers the participants a range of physical, psychological and physiological involvements that inspire their knowledge, insight, and performance of the actions.
Supporting Theories
The authors have articulately used arousal theories to show how emotion affects participation in the adventure. Gould and Krane (1992) define arousal as the physiological and psychological triggering of the organism that fluctuates in a scale from low to high. The emotion of fear has been portrayed as the main one that circulates in the atmosphere of misperception as stated by (Schuett, 1993) (Sandro Carnicelli-Filho). The questions that may arise here is whether or not the fear experienced in everyday life are comparable to those experienced through an exploration activity.
Literature Review
The authors have given a comprehensive review of the literature concerning this topic which is informative to the reader. They begin by highlighting the sources of fear which are the daily pressures of life that compel people to hunt for peaceful environments to escape from reality. One of the themes directly allied to the emotional features during the adventure, and in the calamities that might ensue is a risk (Breivik et al.). According to Cater (2006), fear is the main allure in participants, whereas Collander and Page (2003), believe negligence is the focal issue.
Many authors believe that because the activities are done in the open where the participants have no much control, thus they are vulnerable to risk and danger (Sandro Carnicelli-Filho).
Method and population
The authors used a three-item questionnaire which was useful in drawing their analysis. The exploits selected were parachuting, rafting and rock-climbing. A total of thirty individuals (male and female) above 18 were interviewed and were of diverse education and socio-economic level. These participants were first timers in either one of those activities, and this enabled the researchers to get actual emotions experienced without the influence of previous familiarities.
Results
From the responses, the authors established that the instances of extreme fear are those whereby, individuals encounter a challenge and appreciate the risks involved, therefore, allowing them to focus clearly and better on the subsequent events, putting in mind both undesirable and affirmative consequences. To the parachuting participants, fear occurs to them prior to their jump, to the rafting individuals, the moment before they start the action and while nearing the torrents. Lastly, to the rock-climbers, the fear comes when they prepare to descend colossal heights, held merely by a rope (Sandro Carnicelli-Filho).
Conclusion
The reader has been brought to an understanding that the occurrence of fear in the adventure is not only connected with the activities but likewise, with the cognitive features of imagination. The results will aid in producing interest for advanced studies in risk control and tourism, as well as in physical learning and psychology to scrutinize the impact of emotions on both the profitable aspects of tourism and the practical and social characteristics of adventure. The authors have succeeded in bringing out the relationship between the emotional aspects of fear, and their replications on people's actions.
Works Cited
Sandro Carnicelli-Filho, Gisele Maria Schwartz, and Alexander Klein Tahara. "Fear and aventure tourism in Brazil." Elsevier (2010): 953-956. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261517709001393.
