Testing a Self-Classification Measure of Recreation Specialization Among Anglers

Measuring the behavioral, cognitive, and affective dimensions of recreation specialization typically requires multiple variables such as participation, equipment, centrality, and skill. Recent research has tested more efficient approaches such as single-item self-classification measures. This research note extends this approach to fishing and tests the utility of a three-category self-classification measure of specialization (Type I: generalist, casual; Type II: intermediate; Type III: specialist, veteran) by comparing it to a more traditional 16-variable measure of the concept. Data were obtained from onsite surveys of anglers at Lost Lake in Oregon. Consistent with a specialization continuum, respondents who classified themselves as Type I anglers (generalist, casual) reported the lowest mean responses on all variables measuring centrality, skill, equipment, and experience. Type III anglers (specialist, veteran) had the highest scores. Discriminant analysis showed that the specialization variables corre...