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The wonder of play

Bibliographic Data

ID4486077
AuthorsJ F Legaard (0000-0003-2739-9835, Design School Kolding, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume12
Issue3
Pages375-386
Publication date2023-07-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Play (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2159-4937 • E-ISSN: 2159-4953
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/21594937.2023.2239562
OpenAlexW4386092017
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited20

Since its introduction almost 50 years ago, the concept of ‘flow’ has been descriptive of optimal experiences, also in relation to play. However, the explorative nature of play leads to some discrepancies between flow and the optimal experience of play. In this paper the differences between flow and play are explored, leading to proposing the state of ‘wonder’ as a counterpart to flow. This perspective offers a way to conceptually distinguish goal-oriented experiences (e.g. games and competition) from free play experiences that are not focused on a specific end-goal, seeking to evolve and retain the experience rather than moving towards an optimal end point. While the theory of wonder in relation to flow is in its early stages of development, it is a proposition that offers new perspectives for further discussions about the relations between e.g. play, games, and work

Aesthetics · Art · Wonder · Creativity in Education and Neuroscience · Flow Experience in Various Fields · Mind wandering and attention · Psychology · Social Psychology

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  • Play Matters

    Miguel Sicart•Play Matters•2014

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    Open Access•Stefan Engeser, Falko Rheinberg•Motivation and Emotion•2008

  • Flow

    Philip H Mirvis, Michael Csikszentmihalyi•Academy of Management Review•1991

  • Early Constraints on the Imagination

    Open Access•Paul L Harris•Child Development•2021

  • Play fighting (rough-and-tumble play) in children

    Open Access•P K Smith, Jennifer M Stgeorge•International Journal of Play•2023

  • The dynamics of play - back to the basics of playing

    J Holst•International Journal of Play•2017

  • An Exploratory Model of Play

    Open Access•Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Stith Bennett•American Anthropologist•1971

Unique citing works3
Citations per year1,5
Citation span2024 - 2026 (3)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 3

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