Playing Effects in Psychological Development and Behaviour - Research Paper Example

Number: Lecturer: PLAY HAS BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE EFFECTS IN HUMAN PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR A photo ofhappy children playing together. Research shows that such play creates a strong bond among the playmates, reduces psychological problems such as depression and anxiety and also improves child’s cognitive development. Although play plays a crucial role in healthy growth and development of human’s psychological, spiritual, social and physical spheres, it also has some negative impacts. This portfolio will try to highlight these effects as discussed in the three portfolio articles provided Play is important for relieving stress and making all life’s craziness tolerable so that we keep a good dose of fun in our lives and stop sweating on small things. It provides relive from hard work or stressful activity. Play can be used to express people’s identity. The use of play as an identifier in a society can help one better understand another’s culture, ideology and overall way of life. This is so because the act of playing can provide a bounty of information about something about someone. For instance, ones’ cultural norms, preferences and upbringing can be discerned from a play. By analyzing the play from a particular culture we can begin to understand the citizens as individuals and comprehend their ideologies. Similarly, the way in which a group plays can help us understand their culture and social dynamics. Some theorists see playing as a foundation of human culture, art and religion. These theorists correctly suggest that our play preferences through out time contributed to the creation of our contemporary methods of entertainment. Play makes people’s from different races, economic background, religion, gender among others to interact freely. In this sense, it can rightfully be said that play can blur the boundaries that exist as a result of gender, age, race and social class. Closely related to this, research Kantur () found out that child’s play is critical in integrating them into the social sphere by encouraging more interaction with peers as well as imparting confidence in children to be more involved in more creative activities. However, the difference methods of play represent the relative economy and way of life of each nation. For example, it is most likely that western play is much more materialistic and technology based than it is in other region of the world. The West has a large entertainment sector including video games, movies, and television. On contrary, other less developed countries rely more on the imagination and simpler items as ball and dolls to play. However, it should be noted that children who design their own games item as these improve their creativity and self drive. A picture of Multi racial people competing in running. Play here is used to break boundaries that may be caused by racial, age, gender or class boundary Exercise in both adults and children have been proved to reduce cases of psychological problems such as depression and anxiety resulting in increased psychological benefits such as improving one’s moods ( Russel & Newton). In addition, research (Kantur) shows that children who are more involved in pretend play have greater cognitive development compared to those who do not. Turning to negative effects of play, Russel (296) asserts that students who reported to be more involved in violet gaming portrayed increased aggression and low moods, indicating the detrimental effects of video gaming and screen watching. Similarly, passive plays that do not involve any meaningful contribution by the child but the child is only a recipient of content, retards their cognitive and physical activities and sometimes impact negatively on their psychological and physical health. In a study Burgess, Stermer (376) report that passive games have negative impacts on learners. They found out that passive play such as video gaming negatively correlates to academic performance among college students. Passive games are equally blamed for the increase of child obesity (Russel & Newton, 295). In conclusion, we can say that although plays have both negative and positive impacts on human psychological development and social behavior, the positive influence outweighs the negative one. It is also noteworthy that most of the plays that have negative impacts are passive plays. This can be mitigated against by having a well balanced play of active and passive plays. A couple passing time together by playing scrabble game. Despite the fact that such pastime activity strengthens family ties and improves players mental ability, it can also be blamed for increase cases in lifestyle diseases like obesity because they form part of passive play The relationship between human play and animal play Play is an inherent part of human existence from birth to adulthood. It has both positive and negative effects on human psychological development and social behavior. The essay here looks at three portfolio articles and shows how play is exhibited in human life and how it affects him. A picture of an an animal dressed like a man. The photo shows the relationship between human play and animal play. It proves that if humans learn from the animal behavior of play, then their life will be more fun and natural, and this will lead to freedom from psychological, social and biological distress that humans suffer. Play is one of the most pleasurable activities in human life. Play has the potential to make human beings forget their worries and tensions for sometimes, and enjoy the moment to its fullest. However, studies on human behavior and animal behavior have revealed that play is not just limited to human beings but is as much a part of animal behavior as it is a part of human behavior. There is a strong relationship between human play and animal play. The importance of play in human and animal life has been explored in depth by Johan Huizinga and Stuart Brown, in their texts on play. Huizinga, in his article “Nature and significance of play as a cultural phenomenon,” and Brown, through his lecture called “Serious play: Why play is more than just fun,” have described how play is significant in human and animal life. The most important thing that their studies reveal is the relationship between the animal and human play. Play in humans and animals reveal that animals are as intelligent and as evolved as humans are. The texts prove that if humans learn from the animal behavior of play, then their life will be more fun and natural, and this will lead to freedom from psychological, social and biological distress that humans suffer. The texts also reveal that play not only brings fun and enjoyment in human life, but also helps in preventing the development of lifestyle related problems like depression, anxiety and tensions, which are the root cause of various psychological, social and physical problems. In addition, the texts send a strong message that even though play is a source of fun and enjoyment, it should be taken seriously. The article by Huizinga “Nature and significance of play as a cultural phenomenon,” and the lecture by Brown “Serious play: Why play is more than just fun,” aim at making the reader understand the importance that play has in human life. What’s more, they have explored the different areas of life that are affected by play. However, Huizinga and Brown have taken different approaches to explain the role of play. While Huizinga has explored the cultural and historical base to explain how play is embedded in the very fabric of human life, Brown has taken a biological and scientific approach to explain the same. Even though their approaches are different, there is one point which they both have tried to highlight strongly and that is the relation between the play of animals and play of humans. Huizinga, in his article “Nature and significance of play as a cultural phenomenon,” has explained how play of human beings is not just a cultural or social phenomenon but is a natural phenomenon. To support his argument, he has explained how animals also know how to play and have fun. In fact, Huizinga goes to the extent of saying that “animals play just like men” (Huizinga 97). To prove his point, he has given the example of dog’s play. Dogs use different ceremoniousness of attitude and gestures to invite other dogs for play (Huizinga 97). Their rules of play, like not hurting or biting while playing, are communicated and agreed upon in non-verbal language (Huizinga 97). In doing so, they experience tremendous fun and enjoyment (Huizinga 97). This also shows that the purpose behind ‘play’ is not just physical or biological, but is something beyond it (Huizinga 97). Huizinga points to an important fact that animals do not wait for humans to teach them how to play, instead, they do naturally and on their own (Huizinga 97). This fact showing that animals play as good as humans is also revealed by Brown in his lecture. In his lecture “Serious play: Why play is more than just fun,” Brown has referred to the strong similarity between play of animals and play of humans. He has given the example of polar bear to show how animals follow rules and communicate in non-verbal language to gratify in play. He has described how a polar bear override the carnivorous tendencies when he gets into mood of play after seeing a female husky (Brown 1). With the help of play signals, the polar bear suddenly changes its mood and invites the female husky to play with him (Brown 1). This shows that play of animals is similar to play of humans as in both, the animals and the human beings it removes the hateful, tense and anxious tendencies which are harmful or threatening to their lives. In this way, the relation between the play of animals and play of humans has been described by both, Huizinga and Brown. The only difference is that Huizinga has given the example of dog while Brown has given the example of polar bear. The other important aspect of play that Huizinga and Brown have explored is the reason why play matters in human and animal life. According to Huizinga, play is not just related to the body or mind, but is essentially related to the heart and the emotions of fun and enjoyment (Huizinga 98). This shows that considering play as merely a biological need for expression or a mental catharsis is wrong (Huizinga 98). The fact that playing is also a part of animal life proves that it is beyond the rational spheres of human mind (Huizinga 99). Moreover, while playing, there are no obligations and hence, it does not seem like a ‘task’ (Huizinga 103). Also, as play is voluntary activity, it provides a feeling of freedom to human beings (Huizinga 103). Hence, play is beyond the ‘real life’ concerns (Huizinga 103). By this, Huizinga means that play takes human beings away from their psychological barriers and gives them an opportunity to enjoy their time. The same idea about play has been covered by Brown in his lecture. Brown has stated that play takes human beings beyond the dimensions of responsibility, worries and duties. Brown believes that the great thing about play is that it does not have any particular purpose (Brown 2). According to him, when there is no purpose, there is play (Brown 2). What Brown means is that as people play for the sake of ‘playing,’ and not to achieve any purpose with it, they live that moment and feel free from the burdens of daily lives (Brown 2). In this way, Huizinga and Brown describe why play is so important in animal and human life. They believe that as play is not associated with duty, purpose, material achievement or responsibility, and as it helps animals and human beings to have fun and enjoyment, it gives them a sense of freedom that no other activity can give. The third important aspect of play that Huizinga and Brown have discussed in their texts is the bonding that play develops between players. According to Huizinga, even after the game is over, the players become a ‘club’ and the feeling of being ‘apart together’ develops between them (Huizinga 106). The feeling of being “mutually withdrawn from the rest of the world and rejecting the usual norms, retain its magic beyond the duration of individual game” (Huizinga 106). Huizinga states that this results in development of emotional and social bond between the players. This benefit of play is also mentioned by Brown. Brown points out that the quality of exploration and curiosity, which are the inherent part of play, develops the feeling of social belonging in the players (Brown 2). Brown calls this as the ‘social play’ (Brown 2). He says that it is the social play that brings people together and makes them to form a community (Brown 2). The discussion above shows that even though Huizinga and Brown, through their texts “Nature and significance of play as a cultural phenomenon,” and “Serious play: Why play is more than just fun” respectively, have described the importance of play in animal and human life through different angles, like, cultural and biological, they have explored the similar themes and benefits of play. By showing how play provides freedom, enjoyment and social bonding in animals and human life, both Huizinga and Brown have succeeded in making the readers realize significance of play. They have proved that play is the only activity that allows the animals and human beings a sense of freedom as it takes them beyond the realms of social and psychological obligations. Hence, it is confident to say that Huizinga and Brown were successful in explaining why play should be taken seriously, and it should be made an inseparable part of daily life. Play and Children’s Development Play has a great psychological impact on individuals, and especially children. Play is important for healthy growth and development of children’s psychological, spiritual, social, and physical spheres. Play is thus a critical activity in any child’s or adult’s life. Exercises in both adults hand children have been proved to reduce cases of psychological problems such as depressions, and anxiety, resulting in increased psychological benefits such as improving one’s moods after about 10 minutes of vigorous activities (Russel and Newton, 294). Play can therefore be used as a versatile tool to self-regulate moods with better outcomes compared to any other mood enhancing methods. Research has shown that children who are more involved in pretend play have a greater cognitive development compared to those who do not. In most cases, such children perform much better in their studies (Kantor, 260). Therefore, encouraging more psychological exercises and play among children and adults would enhance better cognitive development and reduce psychological problems among such individuals. Kantor (258) explains the ideas behind a child’s tendency to see the entire world from his/her own point of view, and accommodation of such views to contribute immensely to the child’s abilities to learn through development of thoughts. According to Kantor, the ability of the child to build and learn from perspectives when playing contributes to her development of intelligence. As Kantor observes, play is critical in energizing a child as an antidote to work. Foley (6) argues that child’s play is critical in development of child’s health and their quality of life. Children are encouraged to play. Children’s play develops from egocentric play to social play, from imitate to imaginative play alone, and imaginative play with others, and then to games with rules (Kantor, 259). Therefore, child’s play is critical in integrating them into the social sphere by encouraging more interaction with peers as well as imparting confidence in children to be involved in more creative activities. Burgess, Stermer and Burgess (376) argue that the popularity in videogames has grown tremendously in the last 20 years to rival film as entertainment media for leisure. In a study that measured the rate of video game playing by students compared to their academic performance, video gaming or passive gaming was found to have negative effects on the cognitive ability of students. The study reported decreasing interest in academic work due to its strong addictive nature that ties the students’ mind to such video gaming. According to this study, teachers and policy makers in education have constantly voiced their concerns regarding the detrimental effects of video passive gaming and TV watching. The study found that video gaming was negatively correlated to academic performance among college students, with the variation being much higher in male students compared to females. This may be explained by the time displacement hypothesis where media consumption takes away most of time that would be used in the intellectually challenging academic activities. Shelving such intellectual challenging activities thus leads to lower cognitive development among such constant passive game players, resulting to lowered cognitive development. Thus as Kantor (259) asserts, physical or active play would lead to improvement in cognitive development due to the mental activities and body systems involved, all which work to improve healthy development of an individual. Russel and Newton (295) relate passive gaming to the acute increase in obesity cases among teenagers today. According to this study, child obesity increases due to lack of enough time for physical activities, and increase in passive gaming and watching screen content.TV watching and passive gaming are rapidly displacing children physical activities with more teenagers showing increased preference to passive gaming over physical activities. The reasons behind such large number of students being attracted to passive gaming is that more teenagers find passive gaming more reinforcing and enjoyable compared to physical training. However, Russel and Newton (296) in examining the relationship between active and passive gaming reported that a controlled combination of the two may lead to improvements in some psychological aspects. This is because, video gaming may lead to more relaxation and reduced tensions while physical activities would lead to improved cognitive development. Such mixed gaming was found more enjoyable and led to more actual exertion (Newton and Russel, 296). Such gaming as Kantor (259) asserts deny teenagers the benefit of developing more social skills as adapted in psychological gaming, and the benefits to regain control in times of conflict. Erickson (240) in a study on effects of play in children found that children involved in physical gaming try to regain control of situations while in conflict due to increased sense of self control. In a study of a child whose father, a military officer had died in war, the child enacted the bombing activity with a bicycle to his peers. This was found to contribute to increased stature among his colleagues, his ability to circumspect with the bicycle contributed to better cognitive development, and his admiration by his peers increased his self-ego and self-confidence (Kantor, 260). These factors contribute to healthy development of the child. On the contrary, Newton and Russel (296) assert that college students who reported to be more involved in violent gaming portrayed increased aggression and low moods, indicating the detriment effects of video gaming and screen watching particularly involving violent images to college students, and children in general. Gleave and Hamilton (2) in an enquiry conducted on behalf of play England observed that good quality play provides better opportunities for children, their families and the community at large. Play was found to be fundamental in the health of a child, their happiness, well-being, and having a major impact on the health of children and their future chances in life. Importantly, the study observed that denying children enough time to play and exercise will have profound effects in their experiences and their life in general. This includes their mental and physical activities. These findings are in line with Kantor (259) argument that active play among children will lead to better cognitive and physical development, which would be a better way to improve their lives now and in the future. In a review of studies, Gleave and Hamilton (3) assert that play is critical in the psychological, physical, and social well-being of a child. In the play process, children experience real emotions, they create and experience their own uncertainties, they respond to new situations, experience the unexpected, and adapt better to diverse situations (Gleave and Hamilton, 3). In addition, play will enable children to establish and develop attachment with places and adults, allows for development of intimacy and familiarity with two, provides a detailed opportunity for learning independently, and contributes to development of confidence, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and resilience in children, all of which are linked to healthy development in children (Gleave & Hamilton, 3). Increase in structured activities and passiveness in children means the above benefits are sidelined, retarding psychological benefits in children. Self-directedness in a paly is critical in achieving the above benefits among children. As Gleave and Hamilton observed, self-directed play during break times in mid lessons among children leads to better lesson concentration and behavior in class, as well as offering children a chance to interact, which increases their self-esteem and social growth. This means apart from ensuring that children’s play is not violent and would not lead to any harm, any defectiveness has to be avoided in child plays to motivate them to utilize their cognitive abilities to create and define situations through paly, which leads to cognitive development and improvement in problem solving skills. Playing is not only beneficial in developing physical health and abilities, but has a great impact on social and psychological attributes in children. Passive plays do not involve any meaningful contribution by the child, but the child becomes a recipient of content, which retards their cognitive and physical activities, and sometimes impacting natively on their psychological well-being. To ensure the benefits of physical play among children for both psychological and physical health, child play should not be directed. Allowing children to design their games and construct meanings from such games leads to creativity and self-drive, which are critical in ensuring cognitive development in children. Therefore, active paly in children has to be encouraged and facilitated in any way possible to avoid health complications in obesity and other negative behaviors related to passive gaming. Such an approach in a child’s play promotes major psychological, social and physical benefits involved in physical gaming. Crime as Dark Play Play can be examined as performance. When humans and animals play, they showoff and exaggerate in order to make an impact on non-players (spectators) as well as playmates (this is accurate of gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys and humans). In most types of play, the agreement of all players is necessary in order to let the play progress successfully. In such play, the performers convey meta-communicative messages depicting that they are playing. In various manners, play is much similar to theatre, ritual and carnival (Bakhtin 250). Play is frequently an orderly succession of actions executed in determined places for recognized periods of time. For instance, the cockfighting by Balinese can be considered as a deep play that involves all the players not only the cocks but also the owners of these cocks (Geertz 56). Deep play, dark playare some theories to describe an event or situation like horse racing or Russian roulette in which the threat to life is at maximum level. The involvement in the sport or event is so high that it makes people think if its really worth engaging in it. Deep and dark play creates a situation in which the life of that person is entirely dependent on that enviroment. The characters might not even realize how grave the risk is before committing themselves to that situation. Vanishing Point, a 1971 American movie, explores the concept of dark play very well. The movie shows a delivery driver, Kowalsky, who agreesto takea car to San Francisco from Colorado.Kowasky is shown as an aggressive man who has suffered in life and lost all his loved ones. From flash backs in the movie, the audience is told that life has not been easy on him as he suffered injuries in the war with Vietnam and was also convicted of drug charges after he stopped his partner from committing rape. Tired with life, he hits the road at high speed to take out the frustration he had inside him for so many years. Though his intentions were not to hurt anyone on the road, Kowalsky is portrayed as a rebellious man who is willing to take any challenge as it comes. The police soon learn of a speedy driver on the road and the chase between Kowalsky and police begins.He soon becomes very popular and the media starts reporting him on radio and newspapers. The movie at length shows how he dodges the police and manages to avoid the traps they lay for him. After playing all the catch and mouse game, the man with no purpose in life (Kowalsky) intentionally hits his car against a truck and commits suicide(Berra). When I closely analyzed the movie I penetrated that Kowasky hits the road at high speed least realizing the consequences he would have to face. It was just like a usual task only this one had a little aggressive approach to it. Kowalsky did not intend to gain the attention of the cops when he started his journey and a series of events made him a victim to the police. He was a player who did not know the kind of mess he would get in. His actions were abrupt and though he later knew it could get him in trouble, he cared less for it as he started to relish the moment he was living in. It made him feel important and popular and he was much happier to be in a risky state like this than to play safe in isolation (Berra). A picture of a girl playing with a simple bow and arrow. Such play could instill virtues of bravery and courage among children. However, if no proper adult guidance is provided it can affect the child negatively by making her unnecessarily aggressive or violet. Cape fear is a classic example of a movie that psychologically explores the elements of dark play. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the movie shows an attorney, Sam, defending his family from a man he once defended in court. Max Cady, a tattooed, heavy smoker and a drunkard was convicted of rape which he believed he did not commit and was not guilty of the crime. He blamed Sam for his recklessness in handling the case and claimed it was because of him that he had to suffer 14 years in prison. Once out of prison, Max starts to stalk Sam and his family. When Sam gets to know this he looks to take help from the police and gets Max charged for stalking him and his family. This infuriates Max even more and he gets more vengeful than ever. It leads Max to kill one of Sam’s associate with whom Sam had an affair. This leaves Sam with no other option but to vacate his home and live in a place far away from the psychotic killer. But Max however follows him and despite all the protection Sam could provide his family with, Max tries to assault them. It ends up in a mess when max is deceived by Sam’s daughter, who he mistook as an accomplice, and is stabbed by her. In the end Sam manages to get rid of Max by killing him in self defense to protect his family(Chibnall) I analyzed elements of dark play in Max’s character. This movie shows how Max starts with a small crime of stalking that leads to bigger crimes of killing people around him. He did not need to kill Sam’s associate but the vengeance against Sam had crossed all boundaries. It gave Max a lot of pleasure and he would do anything to hurt Sam. The character is full of anger in the case of Sam and the purpose to live for is by afflicting harm to the man who destroyed his life. The mission of Max’s life was to inflict pain and suffering to Max in as many ways he could (Chibnall). Another movie that beautifully uncovers the meaning of dark play is the talented Mr. Ripley. Tom is shown as a man who has a desire to alleviate his social status in society. He neglects everything that comes to his way in achieving that status. The movie sets off with Tom travelling to Italy to convince a son of a wealthy man to join his father in New York. Tom however gets attracted to Dickie’s (the rich man’s son) lifestyle, something he always wanted to live like. He kills Dickie and tries to lead a life like him by swapping his identity to Dickie’s. This leads to more murders to protect and hide his identity from those who know it. Tom relished the identity he has adopted so much that he was willing to cross all limits to protect it. Through his clever planning he gets away with all his crimes and successfully manages to keep the identity he so much desired(Nicol). After watching this movie I analyzed that Tom was obsessed with the life of Dickie. He did not think of anything before killing him. He was just chasing his dreams. He did not know that he would have to kill more and more people after adopting Dickie’s personality. For him this was the life of happiness. Tom’s life was boring and dull and though he could improve it he choose to be someone else and experience what it feels like(Nicol). Most of the playing is narration, with losers and winners, conflict, and the display and arousal of emotion. Apart from the formal sort of play, playing may be a formal-burst of play initiated to decrease the stresses in a room or alleviate the monotony of everyday work. While the focus of this essay is on the dark side of play that involves ridiculing people, leading them, deceiving them, intensive risk taking to let others show their desperation. It has been perceived that the dark play induces individuals to start doing crimes. Therefore crime may be considered as an outcome of dark play. As some people in order to relieve their frustration enter into the dark play just to let others frustrate and kill their own anxiety and depression (Schechner 109). In conclusion, these portfolio articles have discussed several benefits that human being enjoy as a result of engaging in play. Such benefit include good health, relaxation, contributes to cognitive development among children ,enhances socializations and could break barriers that come as a result of differences in race, gender, social class among others. Despite these benefits, passive plays are largely to blame for increased cases of obesity, decrease in academic performance, retarded cognitive development and reduced physical activities which in turn impact negatively on human’s psychological and physical health. In light of this, for one to benefit much from play, he/she needs a more controlled combination of both active and passive games. It is also worth noting that play is necessary for both adult and children. Both the group derives almost equal benefits from it. However, there is need for both to balance time for play and other life commitments such as work and education so that they do not suffer unnecessary at the expense of play. Finally, I recommend more research work should be done and results documented on effects of various plays so that people who engage in them do so from an informed position. Works Cited Bakhtin, Mikhail. “Carnival and the Carnivalesque.” In Culture Theory and Popular Culture. Ed. John Storey. Prentice Hall, 1998: 250-259. Print. Berra, John. American Independent. Bristol: Intellect Limited, 2010. Print. Chibnall, Steve. J. Lee Thompson. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2000. Print. Geertz, Clifford.“Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight.” Daedalus134.4 [2005]: 56-86. Print. Nicol, Bran. Crime Culture: Figuring Criminality in Fiction and Film. New York: Continuum International Publishing, 2011. Print. Schechner, Richard. Performance Studies: An Introduction. Routledge, 2002. Print. Read More