Social play in non-human animals: functions and communicative strategies

• In Event: Perspectives on play: Motivations and constraints across lifespan and species

Abstract

In both primate and non-primate species, the multifunctional aspects of play appear evident when we consider the age of the playmates. Immature play has its main role in developing physical, cognitive and social skills; whereas, adult play is strategically employed to reach goals that can vary as a function of social and environmental conditions. Playing with unrelated infants can help adults to establish and maintain social bonding not only with conspecifics. The comparison of different species, characterized by different degrees of tolerance, shows that this “bridge strategy” is frequent in tolerant species in which the infant social canalization operated by the mothers is less severe and infants are more free to engage in playful interactions with other adults. Adult-adult play opens further perspectives on the potential roles of this behavior. Play among adults is more pervasive than previously thought. Adult play can function as an ice-breaker during intergroup social encounters or as a means for overtaking unexpected situations. Play can also act as a form of social currency that can help negotiate social relationships as it occurs during social tension situations (e.g., feeding times). The “strategic game” relies on a complex communication that can be based on the motor/emotional resonance of the body and facial expressions emitted by the players. To explore these issues, I will present some examples from both primates and non-primate species. A particular kind of communication is required during inter-specific play. What is at the basis of this peculiar kind of play? Which are the communicative tactics animals belonging to different species engage in to avoid misinterpretation due to their diverse behavioral repertoires?

Author

• Elisabetta Palagi, University of Pisa
  Presenting Author