Adult play, psychology and design

Abstract

Within psychology, play is studied mainly as an instrumental phenomenon for child development and therapy. This body of knowledge is utilised for the development of ludic objects and environments in the context of leisure, learning and therapy. Where adults are concerned, play is almost exclusively studied in therapeutic contexts. This paper explores the far broader contributions psychology could make to the understanding of ludic engagement in adulthood. Using primarily Burghardt’s (2004) conceptual analysis of animal play behaviour and Sutton-Smith’s (1997) rhetorics of play, a number of research questions will be proposed. Finally, the contribution such research could make to the design of ludic objects and environments, as well as the need for an interdisciplinary approach will be discussed