Play is perhaps one of the most complex behaviors that we can find in the animal world. It is an action that we know very well because humans play too, and apparently it is a rather important behavior!
Play is seen as a broad category of behavior, as basic in its phenomenology to smart complex animals as sleep and dreams, and as scientifically enigmatic. ( Stuart Brown )
In a talk, Brown describes how gambling deprivation can lead to dissociative and aggressive behaviors in adulthood ( Talk by Stuart Beown ). This can be caused by the individual’s inability to handle stressful situations in everyday life. In fact, one of the possible objectives of the game is to prepare the individual for the dangerous and delicate situations of adult life.
The 5 characteristics of Burghardt
Given the complexity of the “game” behavior it is difficult to attribute a well-defined characteristic and describe a functionality. Burghardt (2005) attempted to describe the game through 5 points that identify it:
- It does not have a well-defined function in relation to the context;
- It is spontaneous and intentional;
- It is exaggerated;
- It has repeated, but not stereotyped, patterns;
- It occurs only in conditions of freedom, when the animal is calm and at ease.
Although there are doubts about the fifth point, these characteristics define well what a game is. Play between two animals occurs with different patterns based on the species. These patterns differ due to the different anatomy of the species, but also according to the different ecological conditions. Just think of the game in the horse, a species considered prey, and in the wolf, a predator. In the first case we observe races and defensive patterns, in the second contact and submission / aggression.
What game do we play?
This behavior can be divided into 3 macro categories:
- Social or contact: involves direct contact between the participants and simulations of struggles, sexual or parental contexts;
- Manipulative: introduction of objects, usually in a solitary context and which often simulates a food condition;
- Locomotor: Animals run, kick and perform other motor processes, such as an escape from a predator with role reversal (prey-predator).
These patterns can intersect to create very complex, variable and unpredictable game sessions, characteristics that identify the game action.
What is it for?
And here we are in the “thorny” part of the discussion. What is this behavior for? Many authors, over the years, have given different explanations, but many are increasingly agreeing that the game has many nuances and possible uses. These nuances can be species-specific, or have a more general explanation.
The main reasons can be distinguished according to the age group:
- In the adult it mainly has a social role, therefore on the hierarchy and in friendship, with possible future positive implications. Another key role that this behavior can assume is that of “repressor” of stress.
- In the little ones it can have many meanings: building relationships with other puppies in the group to obtain future benefits; to improve physical characteristics; improve understanding of social limits and rules; train some skills such as hunting, escape and fight; knowledge of the surrounding environment.