This study assessed how Yosemite National Park (YNP) targets the continuing problem of human-black bear conflicts via interpretive communication. The research examines how YNP delivers information to visitors about human-black bear conflicts, and how visitors receive that information. Key variables include message recall by visitors, the effectiveness of message content and media in reaching visitors in various overnight lodging locations, the spatial relationship between message delivery and bear incidents, and the role of park employees in delivering bear information to visitors. Results indicate that park visitors receive messages about bears. Inconsistencies between messages delivered via personal interpretive services and YNP bear management policy were revealed. Implications for future research and improving YNP's human-bear communication program are offered.
AjzenI. (1992). Persuasive communication theory in social psychology: a historical perspective. In ManfredoM, ed. Influencing human behavior.Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing Co., Inc., 1–27.
2.
AjzenI., & FishbeinM. (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior.Englewood Cliff, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
BishopY.M., FienbergS.E., & HollandP.W. (1975). Discrete multivariate analysis: Theory and practice.Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
5.
CoxE.P. (1999). Source. In WogalterM.S., DeJoyD.M., & LaugheryK.R., eds. Warnings and risk communication.Philadelphia, PA: Taylor & Francis.
6.
Dalle-MolleJ.L., & Van HornJ.C. (1989). Bear-people conflict management in Denali National Park, Alaska.Proceedings of a Symposium on Management Strategies.Northwest Territories Department of Renewable Resources, 121–127.
7.
FienbergS.E. (1981). The analysis of cross-classified categorical data (2nd edition).Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
8.
FloydD., Prentice-DunnS., & RogersR. (2000). A meta-analysis of research on protection motivation theory.Journal of Applied Social Psychology30 (2), 407–429.
9.
GraberD.M. (1985, July). Conflicts between wilderness users and black bears in the Sierra Nevada National Parks. Paper presented at the National Wilderness Research Conference, Fort Collins, CO.
10.
GrizzleJ.E.., StarmerC.F., & KochG.G. (1969). Analysis of categorical data by linear models.Biometrics25, 489–504.
11.
HamS. H., & KrumpeE.E. (1996). Identifying audiences and messages for nonformal environmental education—a theoretical framework for interpreters.Journal of Interpretation Research1 (1), 11–23.
12.
HarmsD.R. (1977, February). Black bear management in Yosemite National Park. Paper presented at the Fourth International Conference on Bear Research and Management, Kalispell, MT.
13.
HovlandC.I., JanisI.L., & KelleyH.H. (1953). Communication and persuasion.New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
14.
KnokeD., & BurkeP.J. (1980). Log-linear models.Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
15.
LackeyB.K. (2002). Empirical and theoretical analysis of communication focused on human-black bear conflicts in Yosemite National Park. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Resource Recreation and Tourism, University of IdahoMoscow, ID.
16.
LackeyB.K., & HamS.H. (2003). Contextual Analysis of Interpretation Focused on Human-Black Bear Conflicts in Yosemite National Park.Journal of Applied Environmental Education and Communication2 (1): 11–21.
17.
LackeyB.K., HamS.H., & QuigleyH. (2002). Message catalog: human-bear messages in Yosemite Valley.Moscow, ID: University of Idaho, Department of Resource Recreation and Tourism.
18.
LackeyB.K., BeechamJ.J., QuigleyH., & HamS.H. (2001). Human-Bear Interaction Assessment Yosemite National Park, CA. (Interim Report-May). Yosemite National ParkCA.
19.
LangA. (2000). The limited capacity model of mediated message processing.Journal of Communication50 (1), 46–70.
20.
LaswellH. (1948). The structure and function of communication in society. In BrysonL. (Ed.), Communication of ideas.New York: Harper.
21.
MadisonJ., & McCurdyK. (2000). Role and function statements: Interdivisional bear task force (2nd draft).Yosemite National Park, CA. Wildlife Management Unit.
22.
McCurdyK., SeherT., & MadisonJ. (2001). Black bear management and incident summary report.National Park Service, Resources Management Division, Yosemite National Park.
23.
McQuailD. (2000). McQuail's mass communication theory (4th edition).Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
24.
PettyR., & CacioppoJ. (1986). Communication and persuasion: central and peripheral routes to attitude change.New York: Springer/Verlag.
25.
RoggenbuckJ. (1992). Use of persuasion to reduce resource impacts and visitor conflicts. In ManfredoM, ed. Influencing human behavior.Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing Co., Inc., 149–208.
26.
RundusD. (1971). Analysis of rehearsal processes in free recall.Journal of Experimental Psychology89 (1), 63–77.
27.
SalantP., & DillmanD.A. (1994). How to conduct your own survey.New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
28.
ShannonC., & WeaverW. (eds.) (1949). The mathematical theory of communication.Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press.
29.
SharpsM.J., & PriceJ.L. (1996). Visual and auditory information as determinants of primacy effects.Journal of General Psychology123 (2), 123–136.
30.
ThompsonS.C., & McCurdyK.E. (1995). Black bear management in Yosemite National Park: More a people management problem.Yosemite National Park, CA.
31.
U.S. Department of the Interior (1998). Draft Yosemite National Park human-bear management plan.National Park Service. Yosemite National Park, CA.
32.
YoungS.L., & LovvollD.R. (1999). Intermediate processing stages: Methodological considerations for research on warnings. In WogalterM.S., DeJoyD.M., & LaugheryK.R., (eds.). Warnings and risk communication.Philadelphia, PA: Taylor & Francis.
