#6 - Theories of play, recreation, and leisure
*Psychoanalytic theory
engaging in play to reduce anxiety (play therapy)
Generalization theory
participants can generalize any of the play behaviors that they have learned to other setting and applications
Play as a social necessity
Joseph Lee, father of the American play movement
Self-Expression theory
Since human beings were dynamic and active, they needed outlets for energy, to express their personalities and utilize their abilities - Elmer Mitchell and Bernard Mason
*Diversion theory
To amuse ourselves
*Compensatory theory/compensation theory
adults compensate for work by engaging in opposite leisure when the means of accomplishing ones goals or desires are blocked, play serves as an outlet which substitutes for those goals and desires to play/recreate, to fulfill needs not met at work
*Surplus Energy theory
after individuals have had their basic needs met, play results from their having remaining excess energy motivated by need to burn off excess energy
Attribution theory
an individual locus of control (internal or external) primarily determines the forms of play in which the individual is engaging
Recapitulation theory
elements intrinsic to the development of the human race are recaptured through the process of play Hall's idea that the psychological development of children repeats the history of the human race
Optimal arousal theory
elements of play include components that combine both novelty and complexity in order to engage and sustain the participants attention and interest organisms are motivated to achieve and maintain an optimal level of arousal
Developmental theory
in each stage of cognitive development, children construct and shape their reality behaviors and their play behaviors. Young children demonstrate their development of the ability for symbolic representation when they engage in make-believe play.
Recreational theory
inherited characteristics are the sources of an instinct for engaging in play
Achievement-motivation theory
play behavior demonstrates the desires of the individuals to strive, succeed and excel
Conflict-enculturation theory
play enables the participants to experience and learn new behaviors in safe environments
*Catharsis theory
play to release repressed thoughts, feelings, and emotions, an outlet for aggression the proposition that expressing negative emotions produces a healthy release of those emotions and is therefore good for the psyche
Instinct-practice theory
practice and perfecting skills for expected roles in adulthood
Relaxation Theory
the need to relax is the motivation for play to occur a technique for reducing tension by consciously relaxing muscles of the body
