A conceptual approach to the uses of the term play

Abstract

This paper provides a conceptual approach to the topic of play from the perspective of interbehavioural psychology. It analyses the diversity in the use of the term “play” within our discipline, understood as a consequence of the different uses of the word in ordinary language. From this analysis, the paper argues for the desirability of moving beyond the distinction between play and non-play situations in favour of a broader categorisation: open and closed contingency situations, applicable to any interaction episode. These categories enable us to identify different types of interactions usually grouped under the common term "play".