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Abstract
Schousboe, I. (1993). Evil Play. A broader view of play and its functions. Nordisk Psykologi, 45, 97–119.
Scholars of different theoretical persuasions seem united in considering imaginary play an “all good” activity with unambiguously positive functions for the current well-being as well as for the longterm development of the child. This article questions the assumption that play can have only positive functions.
The paper first tries to establish the existence of games which may reasonably be characterized as evil. Next it identifies certain conceptual problems which seem to facilitate the tendency to overlook possible negative functions of play. To help overcome these problems, the paper proposes a general model of the spheres of reality within which the playing child operates. On the basis of this model, play is analysed as an activity that may enchant the child to move beyond his or her normal limits in a way which may or may not be culturally accepted. It is concluded that play can have not only cathartic or neutral functions with regard to expressing and elaborating on evil. Under certain circumstances it can also generate evil tendencies.
Finally it is pointed out that certain characteristics of contemporary Western society probably promote the willingness among adults, including scholars, to conceive play as an all-good activity and to expect the child to be an exceptionally uncomplicated and good-natured member of society.