Exploration and play with objects in domestic kittens

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Abstract
The responses of 12 kittens to unfamiliar and familiar objects was tested. Four categories of behavior were measured: exploration, play‐exploration, play, and non‐manipulatory contact. The results indicated that exploration and play‐exploration were used for longer durations with unfamiliar objects and play was used for longer durations with familiar objects. Rank‐order correlations between the measures showed that objects explored were not correlated with objects played with or play‐explored. Analysis of the ranking revealed that small size and mobility were important object properties of play. The results suggest that exploration involves learning about stimulus properties, play‐exploration involves learning about perceptual‐motor properties, and play involves learning to coordinate movements with those of moving objects.

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