An Exploratory Model of Play

Abstract

Play is defined as a state of experience in which the actor's ability to act matches the requirements for action in his environment. It differs f r o m anxiety, in which the requirements outnumber the ability, and f r o m boredom, in which the requirements are too f e w for the ability level o f the actor. Games are reviewed with illustrations from a cross-cultural context o f traditional and modern societies. I t is suggested that games o f skill, strategy, and chance all share structural characteristics that allow the player to limit his experiences so as to maximize the play experience as defined. Further theoretical implications are drawn from the model in terms o f the relationship o f individuals and the social system.

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