PRT 152 MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE 2026
Play - Answers -derived from the Anglo-saxon plega, meaning a game or sport,
skirmish, fight or battle
general definition would describe play as a form of human or animal activity or
behavioral style that is self motivated and carried on for intrinsic, rather than external,
purposes.
generally pleasurable and marked by elements of competition, humor, creative
exploration and problem solving.
appears most frequently in leisure activities, but may be a part of work.
marked by freedom and lack of structure but may involve rules.
4 early theories of play - Answers -surplus energy theory- view that play was primarily
motivated by the need to burn excess energy. critic say that play also occurs in people
with little energy and does not account for nonphysical play (Herbert Spencer)
relaxation theory- rather than to burn excess energy, play was done to restore it. play
was seen as a means to energize a person who was exhausted from work, school, or
the stresses of life.
preparation theory- suggest that play is a means for children to practice adult life.
playing house, doctor, or school. suggest people learn teamwork, role playing in play.
weakness is it does not account for adult play.
Catharsis theory- competitive, active play serves as a safety valve for the expression of
bottled up emotions. ex. hitting bucket of golf balls to blow off steam after unproductive
meeting. (Aristotle)
20th century concepts of play - Answers -self expression theory- saw play primarily as
a result of the need for self expression. humans were regarded as active, dynamic
human beings with the need to find outlets for their energies, use their abilities, and
express their personalities. (Elmer Mitchell and Bernard Mason)
play as a social necessity- joseph lee promoted play grounds, jane addams play in
poverty area that was alternative to hard times they had. (Joseph Lee and Jane
Addams
typologies of play activity- Roger Caillois- agon- activities that are competitive and in
which the equality of the participants chances of winning is artificially created.
,alea- games of chance
mimicry- acceptance of illusions or imaginary universes. Children in pretend play
ilinx- play activities based on the pursuit of vertigo or dizziness. kids spinning in circles
or adults riding amusement rides.
paidia- exuberance, freedom, and uncontrolled spontaneous gaiety.
ludus- rules and conventions and represents calculated and contrived activity.
play element in culture - Answers -Johan huizinga
play pervades all of life
psychological analysis of play - Answers -1. play in personality development-
personality is shaped by play in many different ways, play prompts enjoyment, freedom
and fun
prompts self expression, creativity, imagination, and self confidence.
play allows children to learn to interact with others through cooperative, sharing and
conflict resolution activities
2. Psychoanalytical perspectives on play- Freud saw play as a medium through which
children are able to gain control and competence and to resolve conflicts that occur in
their lives. play and dreams serve as a therapeutic function for children. play
represented the childs way of dealing with reality
3. play as creative exploration-
stimulus arousal theory- both humans and animals constantly seek stimuli of various
kinds, both to gain knowledge and to satisfy a need for excitment, risk, surprise, and
pleasure. (play activities are not always fun)
competence effectance theory- play is motivated by the need of the player to test the
environment, solve problems, and gain a sense of mastery and accomplishment.
Leisure - Answers -leisure is that portion of an individuals time that is not directly
devoted to work or work connected responsibilities or to other obligate forms of
maintenance or self care.
leisure implies freedom and choice and is customarily used in a variety of ways,
including to meet ones personal needs for reflection, self enrichment, relaxation,
pleasure, and affiliation.
6 views of leisure - Answers -1. classical view of leisure
, 2. leisure as a symbol of social class
3. Leisure as unobligated time
4. leisure as activity
5. leisure as a state of being marked by freedom
6. leisure as spiritual expression
classical view of leisure - Answers -state of being in which the activity is performed for
its own sake
leisure is absence of work.
Flaws of this view- today, leisure cannot be a privilege reserved for few, it must be
widely available to all.
leisure as a symbol for social class - Answers -leisure became the hallmark of the
upper class
this theory is dated because of the rise of greater working class leisure and because
many members of extremely wealthy families work actively in business, politics, or other
demanding professions.
leisure as unobligated time - Answers -most common
leisure is regarded as unobligated of discretionary time. discretionary time is time that is
not used for work obligations and personal maintenance.
also excludes time that is devoted to essential lie maintenance
most important characteristic is that it lacks a sense of obligation
leisure as activity - Answers -activity in which people engage during their free time.
involves the way in which free time is sued for activity purposes.
leisure as a state of being marked by freedom - Answers -neulinger " to leisure means
to be engaged in an activity performed for its own sake, to do something which gives
one pleasure and satisfaction, which involves one to the very core of ones being. to
leisure means to be oneself, to express ones talents, ones capacities.
"leisure is living in relative freedom from the external compulsive forces of ones culture
and physical environment so as to be be able to act from internal compulstion in ways
which are personally pleasing and intuitively worthwhile.
Play - Answers -derived from the Anglo-saxon plega, meaning a game or sport,
skirmish, fight or battle
general definition would describe play as a form of human or animal activity or
behavioral style that is self motivated and carried on for intrinsic, rather than external,
purposes.
generally pleasurable and marked by elements of competition, humor, creative
exploration and problem solving.
appears most frequently in leisure activities, but may be a part of work.
marked by freedom and lack of structure but may involve rules.
4 early theories of play - Answers -surplus energy theory- view that play was primarily
motivated by the need to burn excess energy. critic say that play also occurs in people
with little energy and does not account for nonphysical play (Herbert Spencer)
relaxation theory- rather than to burn excess energy, play was done to restore it. play
was seen as a means to energize a person who was exhausted from work, school, or
the stresses of life.
preparation theory- suggest that play is a means for children to practice adult life.
playing house, doctor, or school. suggest people learn teamwork, role playing in play.
weakness is it does not account for adult play.
Catharsis theory- competitive, active play serves as a safety valve for the expression of
bottled up emotions. ex. hitting bucket of golf balls to blow off steam after unproductive
meeting. (Aristotle)
20th century concepts of play - Answers -self expression theory- saw play primarily as
a result of the need for self expression. humans were regarded as active, dynamic
human beings with the need to find outlets for their energies, use their abilities, and
express their personalities. (Elmer Mitchell and Bernard Mason)
play as a social necessity- joseph lee promoted play grounds, jane addams play in
poverty area that was alternative to hard times they had. (Joseph Lee and Jane
Addams
typologies of play activity- Roger Caillois- agon- activities that are competitive and in
which the equality of the participants chances of winning is artificially created.
,alea- games of chance
mimicry- acceptance of illusions or imaginary universes. Children in pretend play
ilinx- play activities based on the pursuit of vertigo or dizziness. kids spinning in circles
or adults riding amusement rides.
paidia- exuberance, freedom, and uncontrolled spontaneous gaiety.
ludus- rules and conventions and represents calculated and contrived activity.
play element in culture - Answers -Johan huizinga
play pervades all of life
psychological analysis of play - Answers -1. play in personality development-
personality is shaped by play in many different ways, play prompts enjoyment, freedom
and fun
prompts self expression, creativity, imagination, and self confidence.
play allows children to learn to interact with others through cooperative, sharing and
conflict resolution activities
2. Psychoanalytical perspectives on play- Freud saw play as a medium through which
children are able to gain control and competence and to resolve conflicts that occur in
their lives. play and dreams serve as a therapeutic function for children. play
represented the childs way of dealing with reality
3. play as creative exploration-
stimulus arousal theory- both humans and animals constantly seek stimuli of various
kinds, both to gain knowledge and to satisfy a need for excitment, risk, surprise, and
pleasure. (play activities are not always fun)
competence effectance theory- play is motivated by the need of the player to test the
environment, solve problems, and gain a sense of mastery and accomplishment.
Leisure - Answers -leisure is that portion of an individuals time that is not directly
devoted to work or work connected responsibilities or to other obligate forms of
maintenance or self care.
leisure implies freedom and choice and is customarily used in a variety of ways,
including to meet ones personal needs for reflection, self enrichment, relaxation,
pleasure, and affiliation.
6 views of leisure - Answers -1. classical view of leisure
, 2. leisure as a symbol of social class
3. Leisure as unobligated time
4. leisure as activity
5. leisure as a state of being marked by freedom
6. leisure as spiritual expression
classical view of leisure - Answers -state of being in which the activity is performed for
its own sake
leisure is absence of work.
Flaws of this view- today, leisure cannot be a privilege reserved for few, it must be
widely available to all.
leisure as a symbol for social class - Answers -leisure became the hallmark of the
upper class
this theory is dated because of the rise of greater working class leisure and because
many members of extremely wealthy families work actively in business, politics, or other
demanding professions.
leisure as unobligated time - Answers -most common
leisure is regarded as unobligated of discretionary time. discretionary time is time that is
not used for work obligations and personal maintenance.
also excludes time that is devoted to essential lie maintenance
most important characteristic is that it lacks a sense of obligation
leisure as activity - Answers -activity in which people engage during their free time.
involves the way in which free time is sued for activity purposes.
leisure as a state of being marked by freedom - Answers -neulinger " to leisure means
to be engaged in an activity performed for its own sake, to do something which gives
one pleasure and satisfaction, which involves one to the very core of ones being. to
leisure means to be oneself, to express ones talents, ones capacities.
"leisure is living in relative freedom from the external compulsive forces of ones culture
and physical environment so as to be be able to act from internal compulstion in ways
which are personally pleasing and intuitively worthwhile.
