Play in Predictive Minds: A Cognitive Theory of Play

TY - JOUR

T1 - Play in Predictive Minds

T2 - A Cognitive Theory of Play

AU - Andersen, Marc

AU - Kiverstein, Julian

AU - Miller, Mark

AU - Roepstorff, Andreas

PY - 2023/3

Y1 - 2023/3

N2 - In this article, we argue that a predictive processing framework (PP) may provide elements for a proximate model of play in children and adults. We propose that play is a behavior in which the agent, in contexts of freedom from the demands of certain competing cognitive systems, deliberately seeks out or creates surprising situations that gravitate toward sweet-spots of relative complexity with the goal of resolving surprise.We further propose that play is experientially associated with a feel-good quality because the agent is reducing significant levels of prediction error (i.e., surprise) faster than expected.We argue that this framework can unify a range of well-established findings in play and developmental research that highlights the role of play in learning, and that casts children as Bayesian learners. The theory integrates the role of positive valence in play (i.e., explaining why play is fun); and what it is to be in a playful mood.Central to the account is the idea that playful agents may create and establish an environment tailored to the generation and further resolution of surprise and uncertainty.

AB - In this article, we argue that a predictive processing framework (PP) may provide elements for a proximate model of play in children and adults. We propose that play is a behavior in which the agent, in contexts of freedom from the demands of certain competing cognitive systems, deliberately seeks out or creates surprising situations that gravitate toward sweet-spots of relative complexity with the goal of resolving surprise.We further propose that play is experientially associated with a feel-good quality because the agent is reducing significant levels of prediction error (i.e., surprise) faster than expected.We argue that this framework can unify a range of well-established findings in play and developmental research that highlights the role of play in learning, and that casts children as Bayesian learners. The theory integrates the role of positive valence in play (i.e., explaining why play is fun); and what it is to be in a playful mood.Central to the account is the idea that playful agents may create and establish an environment tailored to the generation and further resolution of surprise and uncertainty.

KW - Learning

KW - Niche construction

KW - Play

KW - Predictive processing

KW - Surprise

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85133134034&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1037/rev0000369

DO - 10.1037/rev0000369

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35708932

SN - 0033-295X

VL - 130

SP - 462

EP - 479

JO - Psychological Review

JF - Psychological Review

IS - 2

ER -