a
Natural History Museum, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 79, CALCI, Pisa, Italy
b CNR, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, Via Aldrovandi 16b, Rome, Italy
c Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, 1404 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, United States
b CNR, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, Via Aldrovandi 16b, Rome, Italy
c Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, 1404 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, United States
Abstract
Rough-and-tumble play
(RT) is a widespread phenomenon in mammals. Since it involves
competition, whereby one animal attempts to gain advantage over another,
RT runs the risk of escalation to serious fighting. Competition is
typically curtailed by some degree of cooperation and different signals
help negotiate potential mishaps during RT. This review provides a
framework for such signals, showing that they range along two
dimensions: one from signals borrowed from other functional contexts to
those that are unique to play, and the other from purely emotional
expressions to highly cognitive (intentional) constructions. Some animal
taxa have exaggerated the emotional and cognitive interplay aspects of
play signals, yielding admixtures of communication that have led to
complex forms of RT. This complexity has been further exaggerated in
some lineages by the development of specific novel gestures that can be
used to negotiate playful mood and entice reluctant partners.
Play-derived gestures may provide new mechanisms by which more
sophisticated communication forms can evolve. Therefore, RT and playful
communication provide a window into the study of social cognition,
emotional regulation and the evolution of communication systems.
Biological Reviews © 2016 Cambridge Philosophical Society.
Author keywords
Emotional signals; Facial expressions; Gestures; Intentional signals; Self-handicapping behaviour
ISSN: 14647931Source Type: Journal
Original language: English
DOI: 10.1111/brv.12172Document Type: Article
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
