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Play in Mind

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

President Donald Trump
Golf, Integrity, and Presidents Past

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on April 3, 2024

Presidents and moralists have championed the virtues of honest golf, but Donald Trump undermines the sport's moral lessons in fairness, companionship, and trust.

Presidents and moralists have championed the virtues of honest golf, but Donald Trump undermines the sport's moral lessons in fairness, companionship, and trust.

Fantasies
You’ve Come a Long Way, Barbie!

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on September 4, 2023

Barbie clicked because she has reflected the extraordinarilu widening aspirations for women in the years since 1959.

Barbie clicked because she has reflected the extraordinarilu widening aspirations for women in the years since 1959.

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.