Personal play identity and the fundamental elements in its development process

Abstract

The aim of this study to define personal play identity and examine the fundamental elements in its development process. Within the scope of this research, 66 works (36 experimental, 28 theoretical, and two both experimental and theoretical) were reviewed and discussed by following the systematic literature review process. After reviewing process, the fundamental elements of personal play identity can be examined under four themes, namely play, personality, socio-culture and environment, and economics and technology. The evolutionary nature of play, which can be defined as an individual’s complex specialized identity is considered as a part of their development, allows personal play identity to be transferred to the next generations as it shaped by the continuous interaction of factors, such as socio-cultural environment, economy and technology. It is thought that play identity has a power that can make a positive difference to people since it presents a healthy development in most skills and attitudes which determine the quality of life, such as developing solutions for the problems faced by people throughout their lives, establishing social relations, achieving identity, and the ability to cope with problems.