Playfulness in Adults Revisited - The Signal Theory in German Speakers

Oct 15, 2026

The article examines playfulness as a preferred trait in adults’ potential long-term partners, extending earlier research by replicating and broadening findings in German-speaking contexts. It tests whether playful behavior functions as a signal in mate selection and evaluates how playfulness relates to desired partner characteristics across individual differences and participants’ relationship status. A sample of 327 students completes partner preference ratings and a playfulness personality questionnaire, supporting the desirability of playfulness in long-term mates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

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Playfulness in Adults Revisited

The Signal Theory in German Speakers

Testing the Signal Theory of Adult Playfulness

Playfulness in Adults Revisited The Signal Theory in German Speakers s René T. Proyer Lisa Wagner The authors elaborate on the role of playfulness as a preferred characteristic in potential long-term partners recently espoused by Garry Chick and others. They aim to replicate the ﬁndings of such research by studying a different culture (that of German-speaking countries) and to develop them further by taking into account the participants’ relationship status and individual differences in their playfulness. A sample of 327 students completed a rating scale for desired characteristics in potential partners and a questionnaire for playfulness as a personality trait. Their ﬁndings do indeed lend support to the notion that being playful is a desirable trait of potential long-term mates. Keywords: Adult play; play and romantic relationships; play and sexual selection; playfulness; Preferences Concerning Potential Mates rating scale; Sexual Strategies Theory Playfulness—despite the lack of a general consensus on its conceptualization, deﬁnition, and measurement—as a personality trait in adults has been associated with a broad range of positive outcomes, such as academic success (Proyer 2011), coping with stress (e.g., Barnett 2011; Staempﬂi 2007), innovative work performance (e.g., Glynn and Webster 1992), and subjective well-being (e.g., Barnett 2012; Proyer 2012c, 2013, 2014b) to name but a few. Although playfulness is a comparatively understudied topic, researchers have used diverse techniques for a better understanding of its content and structure. Some investigators (e.g., Guitard, Ferland, and Dutil 2005) use qualitative techniques, others (e.g., Lieberman 1977) observe behavior, still others (e.g., Barnett 2007; Yarnaland Qian 2011) employ focus groups, and some (Proyer 2012b, 2014a) take psycho-linguistic approaches. Overall, their ﬁndings encourage a stronger consideration of playfulness in research and practice because it seems to be a trait of great potential in numerous areas. We often hear as a general criticism about the research on playfulness that it rarely replicates its ﬁndings and frequently fails to provide information on the 201 American Journal of Play, volume 7, number 2 © The Strong Contact René T. Proyer at r.proyer@psychologie.uzh.ch stability of its ﬁndings and their general applicability. In an effort to overcome these shortcomings, we aimed both to replicate and to expand a recently published study (Chick, Yarnal, and Purrington 2012) on the signal function of adult playfulness, a study which has greatly contributed to an increased appreciation of the important role of playfulness in mate selection in adults. We hoped to replicate the study using German-speaking participants and thus contribute toa cross-cultural evaluation of its ﬁndings. We extended the study by considering moderating variables such as individual differences in playfulness and a participant’s relationship status. Testing the Signal Theory of Adult Playfulness Chick suggested that play in adults might be a consequence of sexual selection and thus serve a signal function in mate selection. This theory and its background received a full review in Chick (2001, 2013a) and Chick, Yarnal, and Purrington (2012), so in this article, we need only summarize the main ideas of the hypothesis. According to Chick (2001), adult playfulness can be considered one consequence—among others—of sexual selection. Sexual selection means that while some traits may not be adaptive for survival, they still can contribute to reproductive success. The two main mechanisms in sexual selection are competition and choice, both of them relevant for males and females. Chick argues that play and playfulness serve as signals for desired qualities in potential mates, serving an important function in mating choice and, thus, contributing to the reproductive success. More concretely, he hypothesizes that playfulness in men signals nonaggressiveness to

FAQs

What is the main goal of the study on adult playfulness?

To replicate and extend prior findings by examining how playfulness relates to desired long-term partner characteristics in German-speaking countries, accounting for relationship status and individual differences.

How does the Signal Theory explain adult playfulness in mate selection?

Adult play and playfulness are framed as signals that indicate qualities in potential mates. The theory suggests men’s playfulness signals nonaggressiveness, while women’s playfulness signals youthfulness and fecundity.

How were participants and their preferences measured?

A sample of 327 students completed a rating scale for desired characteristics in potential partners and a questionnaire measuring playfulness as a personality trait.

Oct 15, 2026

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