the psychology of travel: atheoretical analysis of how study abroad and positive regression affect

215 Pages·2006·0.77 MB·English

Northcentral University

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TRAVEL:
A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF HOW STUDY ABROAD AND
POSITIVE REGRESSION AFFECT PERSONAL GROWTH

A Dissertation Submitted to the
Graduate Faculty of the Department of Psychology in
Candidacy for the Degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
in PSYCHOLOGY

by
Greta Elena Couper
January 2001
Copyright © 2001
Greta Elena Couper
All rights reserved
APPROVAL

We, the undersigned, certify that we have read this dissertation and approve it as fully
adequate in scope and quality for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology.

Author: Greta Elena Couper

Title: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TRAVEL: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF HOW STUDY
ABROAD AND POSITIVE REGRESSION AFFECT PERSONAL GROWTH
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author is deeply grateful to the many people who helped lift this Augean task
over Daedalus wings and around Odyssean shoals toward its final completion. Special
thanks goes to my father Clive Richard Hamilton Couper, who told me from the day I
arrived on this planet “You can do anything,” long before such advice was fashionable!
He was born in Rome, Italy, of American artist parents, and triggered my interest in
travel and the arts. Next, to my mother Louisa Couper for arranging many special
summers in Santa Barbara with the international community there. To Paul A.
Cantalupo, M.D., for inspiring me to study psychology, philosophy, and psychoanalysis.
To Michael D. Welch, Ed.D., for his motivation, coaching and positive belief in human
potential. And finally, to Lisa Merryman, for being my safety net when all seemed
impossible.

A large thank you to my dissertation committee for keeping me moving forward:
Lori Phelps, Gil Linné, and Richard Jones. Thanks also to many others who include
Martha Monroe, Lynn Velazquez, Kim Gibbs, Susan Cox, and Vanessa Reyes. The
outstanding contributions of everyone who assisted on this project are much appreciated.
Grazie tanto! Va’ dove ti porta il cuore. . .

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ABSTRACT

Title: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TRAVEL: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF HOW
STUDY ABROAD AND POSITIVE REGRESSION AFFECT PERSONAL GROWTH

Author: Greta Elena Couper, Ph.D. Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, 2001

Institution: Northcentral University

Scope of Study:

This theoretical analysis and retrospective study explores the psychology of
travel, and how and why study abroad affects personal growth and career choice.
International travelers often experience something far beyond the acquisition of new
subject matter or cultural awareness—they undergo a personal paradigm shift that alters
their perception of themselves and their world in such a way as to clarify areas of their
lives that were previously unclear. Many conceptual frameworks in developmental
psychology are outlined to help define how people acquire new behavioral skills. This
sometimes occurs through re-experiencing regressive situations from earlier childhood
stages of development and adaptation in the more secure adult years. The theories
outlined include those of Kohlberg (1984), Erikson (1968), Loevinger (1976), Kegan
(1982), Basseches (1984), Cantalupo (1978), Marcia (1980), P. Adler (1975), Perry
(1970), and Dabrowski (1977). Transformative learning refers to a dialectic, experiential
form of learning through which one reexamines and changes perceptions, values, and
behavior.

The participants in this study were 126 college alumni five or more years after
graduation, both who had and had not attended a study abroad program. A survey was
distributed that consisted of demographic information, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter
(KTS-II), a portion of the Omnibus Personality Inventory, and six open-ended questions
related to regression, career consolidation, world-mindedness, and life goals. The
emphasis was on self-awareness, not on the design, development, or administration of a
study abroad program.

Findings and Conclusions:

Quantitative and qualitative data comparing the differences between study abroad
alumni and non-study abroad alumni were analyzed using the statistical procedures of
two-way analysis of variance (2x2 ANOVA) and chi-square (χ2). Findings showed that
(1) one’s temperament did not determine whether the study abroad experience was
effective; (2) vocational goals were toward service careers and away from monetary
pursuits; (3) childhood feelings (not actions) in times of frustration were more evident
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but less emotional; (4) new challenges and environments were more readily accepted; (4)
time allocation was more flexible and less scheduled; and (5) corporate culture was easier
to adjust to for those with experience abroad. Of particular interest were the differences
in personality traits between female and male participants. This is important because
other cultures provide varied experiences based on their unique definitions of appropriate
gender behavior and opportunity. Thus, research on the influence of travel on personal
growth should include analysis by gender.

With the dawning of the twenty-first century, positive psychology is emerging as a
field in its own right. This specialty encompasses the science of positive influences and
strives to improve the quality of life for all people. Further research should be pursued
on how and why international travel affects personal growth, whether regressive
experiences during travel help trigger learning, and how much pretravel training and
emotional support during travel is required for optimal learning conditions. This will
assist with the design of, and decisions to attend, such programs. Travel and
multicultural encounters provide opportunities for personal growth. These experiences
can transform individuals, organizations, and society.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT......................................................................................................................iii
LIST OF TABLES.........................................................................................................viii
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................1
Introduction................................................................................................................1
Definition of Terms....................................................................................................3
Statement of the Problem..........................................................................................5
Overview of Related Literature................................................................................6
Methodology.............................................................................................................13
Limitations of the Study..........................................................................................17
CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE..........................................18
Travel and Study Abroad.......................................................................................19
Self-Awareness Through Travel.........................................................................20
Historical Grand Tour.........................................................................................21
Study Abroad Research......................................................................................24
Measurement Techniques.......................................................................................37
Theories of Cognitive, Moral, and Ego Development..........................................39
Identity and Self-Esteem....................................................................................43
Postformal Adult Development: Relativism and Dialectics...............................47
Career Development................................................................................................51
Personal Growth Through Travel..........................................................................58
Experiential and Transformative Learning.........................................................59
Permission to be Different..................................................................................63
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Heightened Awareness and Perception..............................................................64
Culture Shock.....................................................................................................72
Adaptation/Accommodation...............................................................................83
Reentry...............................................................................................................91
Positive Regression..................................................................................................94
Summary................................................................................................................106
CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY..............................................................................107
Introduction............................................................................................................107
Constructs...............................................................................................................108
Instruments and Validity......................................................................................110
Keirsey Temperament Sorter (KTS)................................................................111
Omnibus Personality Inventory (OPI)..............................................................112
Personality Career Inventory (PCI)..................................................................113
Internet Survey Forms......................................................................................114
Computer Software...........................................................................................114
Population Sample.................................................................................................114
Procedures..............................................................................................................116
PCI Instrument Development...........................................................................116
Population Sample Confound Control..............................................................116
Data Collection and Processing............................................................................117
Statistical Analysis.................................................................................................120
Limitations.............................................................................................................121
Conclusions.............................................................................................................123
CHAPTER 4. ANALYSIS AND RESULTS..............................................................124
Participant Demographics....................................................................................124
Personality Traits..................................................................................................125
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Temperament.........................................................................................................130
Career Choice and Vocational Type....................................................................130
Evaluation of General Questions..........................................................................134
Integration and Synthesis of Data........................................................................164
CHAPTER 5. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................................168
Limitations.............................................................................................................169
Summary of Findings and Relationship to Literature.......................................170
Recommendations..................................................................................................173
Conclusions.............................................................................................................175
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................177
Appendix A. U.S. Population: Temperament, Traits, and Vocational Type..177
Appendix B. Letter of Consent, Instruction, and Rationale for Study............178
Appendix C. Personality Career Inventory (PCI).............................................179
Appendix D. Assessment Utilization Request Form..........................................182
Appendix E. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II (KTS)................................183
Appendix F. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)..................................183
Appendix G. Demographics/Scores.....................................................................185
BIBLIOGRAPHY.........................................................................................................191
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 Synopsis of Study Abroad and Travel Research...............................29
Table 2.2 Comparative Theories of Development to Early Adulthood.............50
Table 2.3 Comparison of Developmental Stages to Travel Regression..........105
Table 4.1 Five Personality Traits....................................................................126
Table 4.2 Judging/Perceiving Trait Scores......................................................129
Table 4.3 Frequencies of Occupation Type.....................................................131
Table 4.4 Vocational Types.............................................................................133
Table 4.5 Representative Activity Analysis....................................................135
Table 4.6 Culture Shock Analysis...................................................................137
Table 4.7 Life Goal Analysis...........................................................................142
Table 4.8 Childlike Regression Analysis........................................................146
Table 4.9 Reentry Reactions Analysis............................................................152
Table 4.10 Greatest College Impact Analysis.................................................158
Table G.1 Participant Occupations..................................................................185
Table G.2 Participant Quantitative Scores......................................................188
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