4. Play Flashcards
what is the definition of play
The motor activity performed post-natally that appears to be purposeless, in which motor patterns from other contexts than used in modified forms and altered temporal sequences
Three reason play may be purposeless
Failure to decipher causality of play; Delayed benefits to engaging in play behavior; Benefits may be multiple and confounding
Criteria for identifying play behavior
Limited immediate function; Endogenous component; Structural or temporal difference; Repeated performance; Relaxed field
what is limited immediate function in play behavior
play behavior is not fully functional for the context in which it occurs, does not contribute to the survival of the playing animal
what is endogenous component in play behavior
Play behavior is voluntary and rewarding as if the animal engages in play for its own sake
what is structural or temporal difference in play behavior
relative to serious behavior, play behavior is incomplete, exaggerated, awkward, modified in terms of its target
what is repeated performance in play behavior
play behavior is repetitive, not stereotypical
what is relaxed field in play behavior
play behavior is initiated in healthy, low stress, relaxed and free from threat conditions
Levels of play behavior in mammals
pronounced
Levels of play behavior in birds
common
Levels of play behavior in fish/reptiles
rare
Levels of play behavior in invertebrates
none
who studied the phylogeny of play
Burghardt
what are the physical movements of play
social play, object play, locomotive play
what is social play
play between individual (e.g. rough-n-tumble)
what is object play
playful use or manipulation of inanimate objects (e.g. toys)