DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/HMPV-7J02
Defense Date
2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Education
First Advisor
Dr. Brendan Dwyer
Second Advisor
Dr. Greg Greenhalgh
Third Advisor
Dr. Henry Clark
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Wayne Slough
Abstract
The use of nostalgia has become a feature in baseball ballparks in recent years, with research showcasing the prevalence of nostalgic stimuli including bricks, steel beams, and old-fashioned scoreboards popular in the past. The impact of such stimuli on spectators’ emotions and behavior had yet to be explored, though. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the impact of nostalgia on minor league baseball spectator emotional and behavioral responses.
Data collection occurred at three minor league baseball games during June 2017. Utilizing the SOR framework (Mehrabian & Russell, 1974) as the theoretical foundation, a 39-item instrument was constructed by adapting items from previously-constructed surveys in the contexts of sport and general consumer behavior. Using systematic random sampling, a total of 232 completed and usable surveys were collected.
To investigate the impact of nostalgia on spectators’ emotional responses, structural equation modeling was utilized. The study sought to specifically examine whether nostalgia evoked through spectators’ senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch) and social interaction impacted their pleasure. Results showed that only social interaction was a significant positive predictor of pleasure, with sight a significant negative predictor of pleasure. A significant, positive relationship between pleasure and spectator’s behavioral intentions was also found. Finally, the study explored whether spectators’ arousal moderated the relationship between pleasure and arousal. The results displayed that arousal did not significantly moderate this relationship, with pleasure and arousal maintaining a strong correlation. Results and implications of the study are discussed, with suggestions for future research provided.
Rights
© Mark A. Slavich
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
10-21-2017