Conceptual models of the playfulness construct: Additive, balanced, or synergistic?

Abstract

Four conceptual models and measures of adult playfulness were investigated and compared. Each proffers different constitutive dimensions underlying the construct, and argues that the explanation for playfulness lies within the independent or relative contributions of the dimensions, or in their interactive relationship. 646 undergraduate university students with complete data on all four measures, as well as on a self-rated criterion assessment, participated in the study. The findings indicated the extent to which each model was best regarded as an additive, balanced, or synergistic relationship, and further revealed their differential efficacy and predictive power in capturing and elucidating the adult playfulness construct. An alternative model is proposed in which the most powerful predictors are synthesized. Contributions toward an increased understanding of playfulness in young adults were identified from the collation of results and their competing hypotheses, and directions for the trajectory of further research utilizing the conceptual frameworks were presented.

Conceptualising physical playfulness

“…Psychological approaches in play research identified and attributed a range of manifested behavioural aspects to the definition of playfulness. There has been an emphasis on enjoyment (Ablon, 2001;Csikszentmihalyi, 1975;Lauer & Lauer, 2002;Terr, 1999), intelligence (Barnett, 2018;Proyer, 2012), spontaneity (Lieberman, 1977), intrinsic motivation (Betcher, 1981;Csikszentmihalyi, 1975) and the social disposition of the player through framing (Bateson, 1972;Bundy, 1997).…”

Parent-Child Play and the Emergence of Externalizing and Internalizing Behavior Problems in Childhood: A Systematic Review

“…While the majority of studies has characterized the nature of children's play, recently, an increasing amount of research has focused on characterizing adult play and playfulness as well. Barnett ( 2018 ) formed a rather detailed definition of playfulness in adults, characterizing playful adults as “ funny, humorous, spontaneous, unpredictable, impulsive, active, energetic, adventurous, sociable, outgoing, cheerful, and happy, [...] likely to manifest playful behavior by joking, teasing, clowning, and acting silly ” (Barnett, 2007 , p. 955). Thus, across development, playfulness might be described to involve (1) developing pleasant, funny, or creative thoughts and ideas (2) without significant concern for pleasing others (e.g., social expectations) or for the consequences of one's actions, (3) often visible as good-natured humor (Barnett, 2018 ).…”

“…Barnett ( 2018 ) formed a rather detailed definition of playfulness in adults, characterizing playful adults as “ funny, humorous, spontaneous, unpredictable, impulsive, active, energetic, adventurous, sociable, outgoing, cheerful, and happy, [...] likely to manifest playful behavior by joking, teasing, clowning, and acting silly ” (Barnett, 2007 , p. 955). Thus, across development, playfulness might be described to involve (1) developing pleasant, funny, or creative thoughts and ideas (2) without significant concern for pleasing others (e.g., social expectations) or for the consequences of one's actions, (3) often visible as good-natured humor (Barnett, 2018 ). In their function as caregivers and in interacting with children, adults frequently—and sometimes unconsciously—make use of their playfulness.…”

The role of playfulness in gamification for health behavior motivation

“…The Adult Playfulness Trait Scale (APTS), is an up to date, empirically validated, 19-item scale developed for playfulness trait measurement among adults (Shen et al, 2014b). It combined strength of several older scales targeting different age groups and has demonstrated the highest criterion validity relative to other playfulness scales (Barnett, 2018;Shen et al, 2014b).…”