The idea of culture as play illuminates the ways in which humans craft meaning of the world in and through the performative experience of play. Play is a specific, special, and significant form of human activity. This aspect of cultural performance aims to analyze the cultural functions of play that provide a deepening communal experience of norms and values subscribed by the culture. The relationship between culture and play is viewed as a representation of culturally constructed and articulated forms of playful activity such as tournaments, exhibitions, pageants, and contests, including playful activities of children and animals. Play is a voluntary act freely selected and capable of suspension at any time. Play is socially associated with “free time,” nonworking, and leisure; it promotes social group cohesion within culture. Scholars of play theory reject notions that play must serve some purpose. Rather, they construct theory around performance that examines what play is and what it means to the player. Other perspectives interested in culture as play note the reflexivity and creativity of the self in play and embrace a communications-based approach to the performance of play.

Littlejohn, Stephen W and Karen A.Floss. (2009). Encyclopedia of Communication Theory.USA:SAGE.654

Penanggungjawab naskah :

Gayes Mahestu
Edwina Ayu Kustiawan