BOSTON, Apr 24, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A U.S. psychologist says from a developmental viewpoint, fierce competition is a step back in human development.
In an article published in the American Journal of Play, Dr. Peter Gray of Boston College suggests early hunters and gatherers made cooperative living possible by using play and humor to overcome innate tendencies toward aggression and dominance.
"Play and humor were not just means of adding fun to their lives," Gray says in a statement. "They were means of maintaining the band's existence -- means of promoting actively the egalitarian attitude, intense sharing, and relative peacefulness for which hunter-gatherers are justly famous and upon which they depended for survival."
Gray says the most important skill for social life is how to please other people while still fulfilling one's own needs and desires.
To play well, and to keep others interested in continuing to play with you, you must be able to see the world from the other players' points of view, he says.
Play still serves children, who even when playing pickup baseball or card games, have relatively little concern for winning, Gray says.
"It is the presence of adult supervisors and observers that pushes play in a competitive direction -- and if it gets pushed too far in that direction it is no longer truly play." Gray says.
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7 comments:
I have always thought that people need to take time off every once in a while to just have fun. It's really too bad that society doesn't always allow us to do that.
I saw Silversun Pickups when they opened for some band like 2 years ago.
I like this song but I don't know how I feel about them.
AC -- indeed! Play is key. To bad we forget about it to often.
I didn't want to say this because I didn't how you felt about Silversun Pickups, but they were kind of terrible. Like, if I had to rank the worst bands I've seen live, they would be 2nd worst. (#1 going to Be Your Own Pet who opened for Arctic Monkeys).
It's kind of funny because another friend of mine was wondering if he liked SS Pickups or not.
Sorry, that was just my opinion. It came off a bit strong :P
I love the Silversun Pickups they're one of my favorite bands. I always thought this video was like whoa. haha
Here's the link to that one music video I though you might like:
http://creativity-online.com/work/view?seed=24f8d561
NRNTN you are totally way to strong...Just kidding! Hey, I have seen some terrible bands. Worst live main act: Pinback. AWEFUL! I like their stuff however, just not live.
Thanks Nicki!
Music festivals can be great! Just avoid the drunken slobs!
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