THEORIES OF PLAY
(Schiller 1873 Spencer
is the result of surplus energy that exists because the young are freed
from the business of self-preservation through the activities of their
parents. Energy finds its
release in the aimless exuberant activities of play.
upon postulates: a quantity of energy is available to the child; there is
a tendency to expend energy thought is not necessary for maintenance of
Relaxation Theory (Lazarus
Play is seen as a mode of dissipating the inhibitions built up
from-fatigue due to tasks that are relatively new to the organism.
Thus, play is found more often in childhood.
Play replenishes energy for as yet unfamiliar cognitive activities
of the child and reflects deep-rooted race habits -- phylogenetically
acquired behaviors that are not therefore new to the organism.
Pre-Exercise Theory- (Groos - 1898)
(G ' Stanley Hall - 1906
Wundt - 1913)
is seen not as an activity that develops future instinctual skills, but
rather, that it serves to rid the organism of primitive and unnecessary
instinctual skills carried over by hereditary.
Each child passes through a series of play stages corresponding to
and recapitulating the cultural stages in the development of the race.
(Plays roots are in the ritual of the savage and his need for magic)
5. Growth Theories
6. Ego Expanding
Theories - (Lange - 1902 Claparde - 1911)
Current Theories of Play
1. Infantile Dynamics (Lewin)
2. Cathartic Theory -
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