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Abstract
Sundell, K. & Nyhammar, M. (1992). Play and divergent thinking. Nordisk Psykologi, 44, 104–115.
During the latest years, play has become increasingly associated with children's development. One reason for this is the correlation between socio-dramatic play and different aspects of development, e.g. divergent thinking. Few studies have been able to analyse the results in terms of causal relations. This study was designed to address the issue of the causal relationship between socio-dramatic play and divergent thinking. 54 children, 4 to 6 years of age, were studied. Data were gathered using observations, tests and interviews. The fit between the data and five possible theoretical models describing the relationship between play and divergent thinking was analysed using Structural Equationing Modeling. None of the four models were better in explaining the data, thus indicating that socio-dramatic play has no specific influence on children's divergent thinking. The result was discussed in terms of lacking theoretical clarity concerning the effect of play on children's development.