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Play in Mind

Exploring the nature and nurture of play—past, present, and future

Anxiety
Whew!

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on August 15, 2023

Playing with grandchildren and dogs helps muffle the drumbeat of bad news.

Playing with grandchildren and dogs helps muffle the drumbeat of bad news.

Freudian Psychology
Advertising as Play

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

See if you can solve this playful and funny visual puzzle that sold convenience to women in the late 19th century.

See if you can solve this playful and funny visual puzzle that sold convenience to women in the late 19th century.

Animal Behavior
Do Turtles Play?

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on April 30, 2023

Here’s a story that recruits ancient folklore, Bugs Bunny cartoons from the 1940s, and leading-edge animal behavior science to tell a tale about the deep history of play.

Here’s a story that recruits ancient folklore, Bugs Bunny cartoons from the 1940s, and leading-edge animal behavior science to tell a tale about the deep history of play.

Fantasies
Once Again, the Paranoid Style

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on April 2, 2023

We may think we are living in a uniquely fearful age, but the American past abounds with examples of conspiracy theorizing.

We may think we are living in a uniquely fearful age, but the American past abounds with examples of conspiracy theorizing.

Play
Where the Wild Things Are

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on December 12, 2022

It is in wild play that the main character subdues the monsters outside while vanquishing his own demons within.

It is in wild play that the main character subdues the monsters outside while vanquishing his own demons within.

Play
When Is a Toy a Toy?

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on October 21, 2022

Playing with the fingerboard, a faithful working miniature replica of a full-sized skateboard, enables embodied transport of the imagination.

Playing with the fingerboard, a faithful working miniature replica of a full-sized skateboard, enables embodied transport of the imagination.

Grief
The Opposite of Grief

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on October 6, 2022

In his final years, Mark Twain kept grief at bay with a mischievous sense of humor and dedication to his chosen sport, pocket billiards.

In his final years, Mark Twain kept grief at bay with a mischievous sense of humor and dedication to his chosen sport, pocket billiards.

Resilience
Rolling with Change

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on September 27, 2022

Over the last half-century, we mostly rolled with the shock of the new. Remarkably, predictions aside, change didn’t shatter us. We adjusted. We accommodated. We adapted.

Over the last half-century, we mostly rolled with the shock of the new. Remarkably, predictions aside, change didn’t shatter us. We adjusted. We accommodated. We adapted.

Play
Think Outside the Box, Then Play In It

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on August 30, 2022

The discarded cardboard box is a feast for the imagination, a challenge for the hands, and a literal demonstration of the value of open-ended play.

The discarded cardboard box is a feast for the imagination, a challenge for the hands, and a literal demonstration of the value of open-ended play.