Having Fun The Context of Contemporary Leisure Wednesday August 27 2014 9 03 PM Lives are spent in pursuit of happiness and good times Leisure is characterized by Experience and Expression makes us feel free freedom from coercion in how we live our lives Leisure Freedom to do something we want freedom of choice freedom to experience a personal choice of expression Freedom from obligations and provides compensation for work 1 Leisure provides us with those qualities that make us human Matter of possessing personal qualities 2 Leisure provides freedom intrinsic reward pleasure happiness spirituality solitude ritual humor play game commitment socialization risk and relaxation 3 We don t need all of these qualities all at the same time in the same leisure activity just some of them some of the time 4 Leisure is engagement as well as escape Simple yet complicated 5 To have leisure we need to have means fees land property equipment training 6 Intrinsic reward comes from doing something for it s own reasons Because you enjoy the activity TYPES OF INTRINSIC REWARDS 1 Stimulation Engaging in a pastime for the simple pleasure of doing it 2 Accomplishment Engaging in a past time to feel efficient or competent 3 Knowledge Engaging in a pastime to learn something new TYPES OF EXTRINSIC REWARDS 1 Identified regulation Engaging in a pastime because it s important Doing karate so as to protect yourself from crime attacks 2 Introjected regulation Engaging in a pastime so as to not feel guilty about not doing it playing in a sport so as to be in good shape 3 External regulation Engaging in pastime so as to avoid punishment hanging with friends to not be the one left out ARISTOTLE Eudaimonia a feeling that comes from good actions happiness Goodale and Godbey describe social roots of pleasure they are STARTING WITH ANCIENT ATHENS AND GREECE 1 Cynicism virtue rather than pleasure is life s goal 2 Skepticism Accepting whatever is conventional 3 Stoicism Indifference to both pleasure and pain 4 Epicureanism pleasure of certain forms in moderation 5 Pleasure is life s goal Different kinds of pleasures arise from leisure Sensual Sensory Expressive Intellectual A comparison of play theories Theory Critique Surplus energy Definition Burning up excess energy sugar rush Example Children chasing each other Helps justify role of physical play Around the playground doesn t explain role of nonphysical play Preparation Practice for adult life Children playing house or doctor Doesn t explain why adults play too Relaxation Recuperation Playing solitaire as a study break Doesn t explain the play that reflects or is similar to work ex Accountant doing soduku Catharsis Letting off emotional steam Playing piano after argument Aggressive behavior leads to more aggressiveness Kickboxing Behavioristic A response pleasurable Playing basketball after Overlooks role of individual stimulus team has already won differences a trophy Psychoanalytic Mastering disturbing event or thoughts A child yelling at Initiated practice of careful stuffed animal at home observation which after her teacher at describes play as therapy school scolded her Arousal Seeking Seeking stimulation a Bored students judging Has more research support reaction from a teacher in class someone Luis making fun of mom Competenceeffactance Having an effect on things changing the world somehow Making snow angels in Requires more research the yard your imprint in the snow