Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
15:01
Peering into the Dynamics of Social Interactions: Measuring Play Fighting in Rats
Published on: January 18, 2013
16.0K
Creating a common terminology for play behavior to increase cross-disciplinary research
1Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL, 60513, USA. Lance.Miller@CZS.org.
Learning & Behavior
|July 14, 2017
Summary
Defining play behavior across species and disciplines is challenging. This study synthesized expert definitions to establish common characteristics for play, fostering cross-disciplinary research.
Area of Science:
- Comparative psychology
- Ethology
- Cognitive zoology
Background:
- Defining play behavior is historically complex due to diverse species, play types, and contexts.
- A 2016 workshop convened 16 experts from various fields, including human and non-human play research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a common terminology for play behavior across disciplines.
- To identify core characteristics of play applicable to all forms and species.
Main Methods:
- Experts submitted their definitions of play prior to the workshop.
- Definitions were analyzed to identify common, inclusive characteristics.
Main Results:
- The study aimed to create a list of characteristics for play behavior.
- This list serves as a foundation for unified cross-disciplinary terminology.
Conclusions:
- Establishing common characteristics facilitates consistent research and understanding of play.
- This work encourages increased interdisciplinary collaboration in play studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game
250
The development of self in children is deeply rooted in social interactions, mainly through stages of play and structured games. These stages, outlined by sociologist George Herbert Mead, illustrate how children progressively learn to understand and adopt social roles, forming a cohesive sense of self.The Play Stage: Imitation and Simple Role-TakingIn the early years of childhood, the play stage is characterized by imitative behavior, where children engage in role-playing based on familiar...
250
01:28Behaviorism
6.7K
The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
6.7K
01:26Modeling in Therapy
605
Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
605
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
554
Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
554
01:24Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction
1.6K
Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
1.6K
01:21Behavior Modification
789
Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
789