Current Concepts of Play in Animals
- 1 November 1945
- journal article
- research article
- Published by University of Chicago Press in The American Naturalist
- Vol. 79 (785) , 523-541
- https://doi.org/10.1086/281288
Abstract
In this discussion and review, the writer makes an appeal for the scientific study of various aspects of play to replace anthropomorphic theorizing. In particular, definable criteria for the various characteristics of play are needed. Release of surplus energy, pleasure, and various forms of apprenticeship are types of explanation which are either wrong or inadequate at the present time.This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- Fishes that Play "Leapfrog"The American Naturalist, 1944
- Sexual behavior of prepuberal male and female rats treated with gonadal hormones.Journal of Comparative Psychology, 1942
- Mother-infant relations in chimpanzee.Journal of Comparative Psychology, 1935
- The genesis of the cat's responses to the rat.Journal of Comparative Psychology, 1930