Note: This research project is now complete.
The principal investigator of this study is Dr. Beth Swadener.
The purpose of the study is to learn more about the importance and relevance of adult play. Play research to date has primarily focused on childhood development and play therapy for children and families. While some research has been done on play across the lifespan, most of it is quantitative (Proyer 508-512) or is focused on playfulness as a personality trait (Shen, Chick, and Zinn 58-83; Proyer 103-127). As a foundation for my research, I align with developmental psychologist Lev Vygotsky, who believed that play was of great importance to human development and that social learning comes before development, unlike Piaget, who asserted that developmental stages were independent and universal across cultures (McLeod).
There is relevant data on adult play that exists cross-disciplinarily, due to the ambiguous definition of the term "play." Studies have been done in positive psychology, sociology, anthropology, leisure studies, business and management studies, and more. While some initial review of important literature has been reviewed, the goal is take a grounded theory-style approach with the critical literature review coming after the research is initiated.
I am interested in researching play that fits researcher Stuart Brown's "properties of play":
In addition, I am interested in play that has the power to transform individuals and communities. I have temporarily termed this type of play "transformative psycho-corporeal play," based on the feminist philosopher, Diana T. Meyers', concepts of psycho-corporeal identity and agency. transformative psycho-corporeal play:
The principal investigator of this study is Dr. Beth Swadener.
The purpose of the study is to learn more about the importance and relevance of adult play. Play research to date has primarily focused on childhood development and play therapy for children and families. While some research has been done on play across the lifespan, most of it is quantitative (Proyer 508-512) or is focused on playfulness as a personality trait (Shen, Chick, and Zinn 58-83; Proyer 103-127). As a foundation for my research, I align with developmental psychologist Lev Vygotsky, who believed that play was of great importance to human development and that social learning comes before development, unlike Piaget, who asserted that developmental stages were independent and universal across cultures (McLeod).
There is relevant data on adult play that exists cross-disciplinarily, due to the ambiguous definition of the term "play." Studies have been done in positive psychology, sociology, anthropology, leisure studies, business and management studies, and more. While some initial review of important literature has been reviewed, the goal is take a grounded theory-style approach with the critical literature review coming after the research is initiated.
I am interested in researching play that fits researcher Stuart Brown's "properties of play":
- Voluntary
- Inherent attraction
- Freedom from time
- Diminished consciousness of self
- Improvisational potential
- Continuation desire
In addition, I am interested in play that has the power to transform individuals and communities. I have temporarily termed this type of play "transformative psycho-corporeal play," based on the feminist philosopher, Diana T. Meyers', concepts of psycho-corporeal identity and agency. transformative psycho-corporeal play:
- Is a safe place to experience trial and error
- Is process (rather than product) focused
- Values not-knowing, not getting it right, or not having the answers
- Transforms participants and communities by allowing people to make internal (self-awareness) and external (community) connections through mind/body activities
| keller_reframing_play_final.pdf |