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The Play of Man is a work by Karl Groos, philosopher and psychologist who proposed an evolutionary instrumentalist theory of play. The book suggests that play is a preparation for later life. The main idea is that play is basically useful, and so it can be explained by the normal process of evolution by natural selection. When we "play" we are practicing basic instincts, such as fighting, for survival, just like animals do.
"In this volume Professor Groos makes a contribution to three distinct but cognate departments of inquiry: philosophical biology, animal psychology, and the genetic study of art. The world of play, to which art belongs, stands in most important and interesting contrast with the stern realities of life; yet there are few scientific works in the field of human play, and none at all in that of animal play--a fact to be accounted for, probably, by the inherent difficulties of the subject, both objective and subjective. The animal psychologist must harbour in his breast not only two souls, but more; he must unite with a thorough training in physiology, psychology, and biology the experience of a traveller, the practical knowledge of the director of a zoological garden, and the outdoor lore of a forester. And even then he could not round up his labours satisfactorily unless he were familiar with the trend of modern aesthetics. Groos holds play to be an instinct developed by natural selection, and to be on a level with the other instincts which are developed for their utility. Its utility is, in the main, twofold: First, it enables the young animal to exercise himself beforehand in the strenuous and necessary functions of its life and so to be ready for their onset; and, second, it enables the animal by a general instinct to do many things in a playful way, and so to learn for itself much that would otherwise have to be inherited in the form of special instincts; this puts a premium on intelligence, which thus comes to replace instinct"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).
Comprehensive and authoritative this handbook pushes back the frontiers of the study of human development in one single volume. It makes an ideal reference for experienced individuals who wish to update their understanding and remain at the cutting edge of developmental psychology.
`This is an impressive work... and will provide the advanced reader with a rich source of theory and evidence. There is a huge amount to be got from the book and I suspect it will become a key work' - J Gavin Bremner, Department of Psychology, Lancaster University The Handbook of Developmental Psychology is a comprehensive, authoritative yet frontier-pushing overview of the study of human development presented in a single-volume format. It is ideal for experienced individuals wishing for an up-to-date survey of the central themes prevalent to developmental psychology, both past and present, and for those seeking a reference work to help appreciate the subject for the first time. The insightful contributions from world-leading developmental psychologists successfully and usefully integrate different perspectives to studying the subject, following a systematic life-span structure, from pre-natal development through to old age in human beings. The Handbook then concludes with a substantive section on the methodological approaches to the study of development, focusing on both qualitative and quantitative techniques. This unique reference work will be hugely influential for anyone needing or wishing for a broad, yet enriched understanding of this fascinating subject. It will be a particularly invaluable resource for academics and researchers in the fields of developmental psychology, education, parenting, cultural and biological psychology and anthropology.
Play is a ubiquitous and universal aspect of early childhood. Although it may take different forms throughout development and across cultures, decades of research have found play to be related to important, positive outcomes. Play provides children with valuable cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal learning opportunities. It can act as a mode of communication for young children and allows them to practice ways of managing complex interpersonal interactions. Specific aspects of play, such as children’s creativity in pretend play, have been associated with resilience and coping. The significance of play in childhood has led to its frequent use in the assessment of child development and in the implementation of child and parent-child psychological and educational interventions. Historically, however, the validity and efficacy of these interventions have not been rigorously evaluated. Further, few assessment and intervention models have included parents, teachers, and other key caregivers, but have focused only on the child. This Research Topic will bring together the most current literature on the use of play in child assessment and intervention.
Interest in clinical psychology has been growing as indicated by large numbers of undergraduates applying for admission to graduate programs and the professional degrees granted. This book is written for anyone with a strong interest in clinical psychology, but also provides a comprehensive and realistic view of the field. The book, therefore, can serve as a reference for courses in clinical psychology, but it will be relevant to courses in personality and personal counseling. Professional clinical psychologists and members of related professions may also find the book valuable because Garfield describes important historical developments that have helped to shape the field, the roles and functions of the clinical psychologist, their training programs, and contemporary issues and problems. The text also describes the theoretical models that guide the work of the clinical psychologist and upon which the divergent approaches to clinical work are based. Changes in the functions of the clinical psychologist are reflected in the greater emphasis on psychotherapeutic and behavior change methods and in the correspondingly reduced emphasis on diagnostic testing procedures--a development discernible in the decline in studies of high quality bearing on diagnostic issues. This book provides a reliable source of information for the individual who contemplates a professional career as a clinical psychologist and seeks to learn what the profession encompasses. Sol L. Garfield (1918-2004) was Professor of Psychology and Director, Clinical Psychology Program, Washington University in St. Louis. Garfield has been widely published in the major journals and his books include Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (co-edited with A. E. Bergin) and The Practice of Brief Psychotherapy. He is a former President of the Division of Clinical Psychology, American Psychological Association, and has been Consulting Editor for the American Journal of Mental Deficiency, the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.