Psychology Commons^™

The Role Of Anxiety In The Stimulus Preference And Play Patterns, Betty R. Rutherford

Student Work

The play patterns and stimulus preference of 20 preschool children were observed during low and high s tress conditions. The stress manipulation was contingent upon the child's preparation for a medical appointment. Heart rate recordings and a questionnaire were used as Indices of stress. Children manifested a preference toward creative-constructive play under conditions of increased stress , with a resultant decrease in manipulative and imaginative play. Play with relevant or irrelevant toys did not change significantly during the increased stress condition. Pencil—paper measures of stress used in previous studies were significantly related to the physiological measure of stress . No …