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Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Action

A research guide for the Honors in Action project completed by members of Phi Theta Kappa.

Honors Study Topic: The Art and Science of Play

  • THEME 1: ESSENCE OF PLAY
    • What are the natural and philosophical foundations of play?
  • THEME 2: ECONOMICS OF PLAY
    • What are the financial, physical, and psychological costs and benefits of play?
  • THEME 3: SYSTEMS OF PLAY
    • In what ways do one’s role, identity, and access influence the experience of play?
  • THEME 4: ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN OF PLAY
    • In what ways do the design and structure of abstract and physical environments impact play?
  • THEME 5: SOUL OF PLAY
    • To what extent does play serve as muse to evoke artistry and craftsmanship?
  • THEME 6: NOSTALGIA AS PLAY
    • How might play evoke memories that challenge, inspire, traumatize, and heal?
  • THEME 7: PLAY IT FORWARD
    • How can the experience of play serve as a catalyst for epiphanies, innovations, and inventions?

Combined research topic

How does socioeconomic standing affect access to play and how does it impact childhood and the future? 

Keywords

(See the next two pages for database recommendations.)

  • Access
  • Activity
  • Affluence
  • Affordable
  • Barrier
  • Benefit
  • Budget
  • Club
  • Cognitive
  • Cost
  • Creativity
  • Development
  • Economic
  • Engaged
  • Environment
  • Equity
  • Explore
  • Extracurricular
  • Facilities
  • "Free play"
  • Leadership
  • Learning
  • Leisure
  • "Low play value spaces" (or "play value")
  • Memory
  • Neural
  • "Organized sports"
  • Outcome
  • Pay-to-play
  • Psychosocial
  • Problem-solving
  • Race
  • Self-expression
  • Self-reliance
  • "Social capital"
  • Socioeconomic
  • "Structured play"
  • "Unstructured play"
  • Well-being