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Cited by 89Psychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionHumor Studies and ApplicationsPersonality Traits and Psychology

The virtuousness of adult playfulness: the relation of playfulness with strengths of character

Open access
Proyer, René T, Ruch, Willibald·2011·Psychology of Well-Being: Theory, Research and Practice
DOI 10.1186/2211-1522-1-4
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Abstract

It was hypothetisized that playfulness in adults (i.e., the predisposition to play) is robustly associated with the "good character." Playfulness in adults can be tested via a global cognitive evaluation and an instrument for distinguishing five different facets of playful behaviors (spontaneous, expressive, creative, fun, and silly). Character strengths can be assessed within the framework of the Values-in-Action (VIA) classification of strengths. Data were collected in an online study and the sample consisted of 268 adults. A regression analysis revealed that adult playfulness was best predicted by humor, the appreciation of beauty and excellence, low prudence, creativity, and teamwork. As expected, single strengths (e.g., creativity, zest, and hope) demonstrated strong relations with facets of playfulness with its fun-variants yielding the numerically highest relations. The fun-variant of playfulness was most strongly related with emotional strengths while intellectual strengths yielded robust relations with all facets of playfulness. Strengths of restraint were negatively related with spontaneous, expressive, and silly-variants of playfulness. The findings were in line with expectations and are discussed within a broader framework of research in playfulness in adults. The results indicate that playfulness in adults relates to positive psychological functioning and that more studies further illuminating the contribution of playfulness to well-being in adults are warranted.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Adult playfulness is robustly tied to the VIA “good character,” especially humor, appreciation of beauty and excellence, creativity, and lower prudence. In 268 adults, humor was the strongest predictor of global playfulness, while playfulness facets related differently to strengths, with fun-variants most linked to emotional strengths and silly-variants showing weaker or negative relations.

Key findings

  • In a hierarchical regression predicting global playfulness, the model was significant, \(R^2 = .29\), \(F[7, 266] = 14.99\), \(p < .001\); humor was the most important predictor with 17% overlapping variance, followed by appreciation of beauty and excellence, low prudence, creativity, and teamwork.
  • At the facet level, fun-oriented playfulness had the numerically highest relation with emotional strengths (\(r^2 = .41\)), creative playfulness with intellectual strengths (\(r^2 = .30\)), and spontaneous (\(r^2 = .26\)) and silly (\(r^2 = .27\)) playfulness with lower endorsement of strengths of restraint.
  • Single strengths showed strong relations with playfulness facets: creativity with creative playfulness (\(r = .65^{}\)), zest with fun playfulness (\(r = .60^{}\)), hope with fun playfulness (\(r = .59^{}\)), and humor with global playfulness (\(r = .41^{}\)).
  • Strengths of restraint were negatively related to spontaneous, expressive, and silly playfulness; silly playfulness was negatively related to prudence (\(r = -.41^{}\)), self-regulation (\(r = -.37^{}\)), and persistence (\(r = -.34^{}\)).

Methods

  • Online study with 268 adults (M age = 29.0, SD = 9.1; 25.7% male; 35.1% university students/graduates; 20.5% married).
  • Playfulness was measured with the Short Measure of Adult Playfulness (SMAP; 5 items, \(\alpha = .86\)) and the Adult Playfulness Scale (APS; 25 scored adjectives across spontaneous, expressive, fun, creative, and silly facets; alphas .65–.74). Character strengths were measured with the German VIA-IS (240 items, 24 strengths; alphas .71–.92, median .78).
  • Analyses included Pearson correlations, hierarchical regression with global playfulness as criterion, and principal component analysis of the VIA-IS yielding five rotated factors (interpersonal, emotional, restraint, intellectual, theological).

Limitations

  • The paper states the sample had more women than men (ratio 1:4) and mainly younger participants, so replication with a more balanced sample and additional data such as observer reports is needed.
  • The paper states the APS has been criticized for conceptualizing play as opposite to work on a single continuum and for psychometric shortcomings; follow-up studies should use alternative measures and data sources such as behavior observations or diary methods.
  • Evident from the design: the study is cross-sectional and correlational, and the paper itself notes that the data do not allow causal inferences.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1186/2211-1522-1-4

Cites

39 of 39 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 35 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    The fun-variant of playfulness yielded the numerically highest relations with strengths.

    “As expected, single strengths (e.g., creativity, zest, and hope) demonstrated strong relations with facets of playfulness with its fun-variants yielding the numerically highest relations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The fun-variant of playfulness was most strongly related with emotional strengths.

    “The fun-variant of playfulness was most strongly related with emotional strengths while intellectual strengths yielded robust relations with all facets of playfulness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Strengths of restraint were negatively related with spontaneous, expressive, and silly variants of playfulness.

    “Strengths of restraint were negatively related with spontaneous, expressive, and silly-variants of playfulness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Intellectual strengths yielded robust relations with all facets of playfulness.

    “The fun-variant of playfulness was most strongly related with emotional strengths while intellectual strengths yielded robust relations with all facets of playfulness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Creativity, zest, and hope demonstrated strong relations with facets of playfulness.

    “As expected, single strengths (e.g., creativity, zest, and hope) demonstrated strong relations with facets of playfulness with its fun-variants yielding the numerically highest relations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 23
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 31

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the hierarchical regression predicting global playfulness, humor was the most important predictor, followed by appreciation of beauty and excellence, low prudence, creativity, and teamwork.

    “A regression analysis revealed that adult playfulness was best predicted by humor, the appreciation of beauty and excellence, low prudence, creativity, and teamwork.”
    • Also stated in: § Predicting adults' playfulness from character · plain
      “Humor entered the equation as the most important predictor (17% overlapping variance) followed by appreciation of beauty and excellence, low prudence, creativity, and teamwork in the final step.”
    • Also stated in: § Predicting adults' playfulness from character · boosted
      “Overall, the analysis shows that playfulness was robustly related to humor and that humor is its best predictor out of the VIA-classification, but that other strengths also contributed to the prediction to playfulness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    At a global level, strengths theoretically assigned to the virtues of temperance (e.g., self-regulation) demonstrated the comparatively lowest correlations with playfulness.

    “At a global level, those strengths theoretically assigned to the virtues of temperance (e.g., self-regulation) demonstrated the comparatively lowest correlations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Of the three VIA-IS humor items that refer to playfulness, only one has a direct reference to play; the other two refer only indirectly to playfulness.

    “Of these three, only one has a direct reference to play (i.e., seeing life more as a playground than a battlefield) while the other two (i.e., trying to have fun in lots of different situations and trying to make everything one does with some humor) refer only indirectly to playfulness”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The strengths of appreciation of beauty and excellence, (lower) prudence, creativity, and teamwork were also predictive of playfulness.

    “However, the strengths of appreciation of beauty and excellence, (lower) prudence, creativity, and teamwork were also predictive.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Only three out of the ten VIA-IS humor-scale items refer to playfulness; the others refer to humor directly.

    “only three out of the ten items refer to playfulness while the others refer to humor directly”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Creativity and humor seemed to be an incremental part of playfulness; the global score as well as all variants of playfulness yielded significantly positive relations with them.

    “Creativity and humor seemed to be an incremental part of playfulness; the global score as well as all variants of playfulness yielded significantly positive relations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Not all variants of playfulness seem to be virtuous; the exception were the silly-variants (e.g., childlike, whimsical) of playfulness.

    “Along with the finding that not all variants of playfulness seem to be virtuousthe exception were the silly-variants (e.g., childlike, whimsical) of playfulness”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Hope was also positively related to playfulness, except that greater expression in silly variants of playfulness was associated with lower endorsement of hope.

    “The same was true for hope with the exception that a greater expression in sillyvariants of playfulness was associated with lower endorsement of hope.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Spontaneous behavior (assigned to gregariousness) was one of the facets identified by Barnett as one of the underlying components of playfulness.

    “Spontaneous behavior (assigned to gregariousness) was one of the facets identified by Barnett (2007) as one of the underlying components of playfulness.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Barnett 2007 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In the VIA classification, three to five strengths are theoretically assigned to one of six universal virtues.

    “In the VIA-classification, three to five strengths are theoretically assigned to one of six universal virtues (wisdom and knowledge, justice, courage, humanity, temperance, and transcendence; see Dahlsgaard et al. 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dahlsgaard et al. 2005 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Creativity is frequently seen as incremental to playfulness.

    “For example, creativity is frequently seen as incremental to playfulness (e.g., creative playfulness in Glynn and Webster 1992).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Glynn and Webster 1992 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There are data towards a positive relation between playfulness and divergent thinking.

    “There are also data towards a positive relation between playfulness and divergent thinking (e.g., Barnett and Kleiber 1982;Truhon 1983).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Barnett and Kleiber 1982 source
    • cites Truhon 1983 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Peterson and Seligman use playfulness as synonymous with humor, but the chapter on humor [playfulness] deals almost exclusively with humor in its narrow sense and less so with playfulness.

    “As said, Peterson and Seligman (2004) use playfulness as being synonymous to humor.However, the chapter on humor [playfulness] in the book describing the classification deals almost exclusively with humor in its narrow sense but less so with playfulness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Peterson and Seligman 2004

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    Peterson and Seligman's VIA classification of strengths and virtues can serve as a framework for studying playfulness in relation to positive traits.

    “Peterson and Seligman's (2004) Values-in-Action classification (VIA) of strengths and virtues can serve as a framework for such a study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Peterson and Seligman 2004

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Prior empirical evidence links adult playfulness with various indicators of well-being, including flow experiences, group cohesion, creativity, intrinsic motivation, quality of life, decreased computer anxiety, job satisfaction, performance, innovative behavior, and academic achievement.

    “To name but a few, there is empirical evidence on relations of playfulness in adults with flow-experiences (Csikszentmihalyi 1975), enhanced group cohesion (Bowman 1987), creativity and spontaneity (Barnett 2007;Glynn andWebster 1992, 1993)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Csikszentmihalyi 1975

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Bowman 1987

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Barnett 2007 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In the VIA classification, strengths are positively valued traits that enable the good life, are psychologically fulfilling, and contribute to well-being.

    “They argue that strengths are positively valued traits that enable the good life.Strengths are psychologically fulfilling and contribute to the well-being of a person.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Peterson and Seligman 2004

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Lieberman sees spontaneity (with manifest joy and sense of humor) as one core component of playfulness.

    “Lieberman (1977) sees spontaneity (with manifest joy and sense of humor) as one core component of playfulness.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lieberman 1977

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The study sample consisted of more women than men (at a ratio of 1:4) and mainly of younger participants.

    “Limitations of the study are the sample that was collected for this study, which consisted of more women than men (at a ratio of 1 : 4) and mainly of younger participants.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The APS subscales had internal consistencies in this sample of .74 (spontaneous), .66 (expressive), .65 (fun), .66 (creative), and .69 (silly).

    “the alpha-coefficient in this sample was .74),expressive (e.g., bouncy vs. staid, open vs. reserved; α = .66),fun (e.g., bright vs. dull, excitable vs. serene; α = .65),creative (e.g., imaginative vs. unimaginative, active vs. passive; α = .66),and silly (e.g., childlike vs. mature, whimsical vs. practical; α = .69).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Correlation coefficients ≥ .23 were considered significant at p < .05 after controlling for multiple comparisons using Bonferroni correction.

    “Correlation coefficients among the scales are given in Table 1 (for the interpretation of single correlation coefficients it needs to be highlighted that those ≥ .23 were significant at p < .05after controlling for multiple comparisons; Bonferroni-correction).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The VIA-IS alpha-coefficients in this sample ranged from .71 (honesty) to .92 (religiousness; median = .78).

    “The alpha-coefficients in this sample ranged from .71 (honesty) to .92 (religiousness; median = .78).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The APS has been criticized in the literature as play in this conceptualization is seen as opposite of work on a single continuum and for psychometric shortcomings.

    “Additionally, it needs to be acknowledged the APS has been criticized in the literature as play in this conceptualization is seen as opposite of work on a single continuum and for psychometric shortcomings (see e.g., Barnett 2007;Krueger 1995).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Barnett 2007 source
    • cites Krueger 1995

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recently, Kolb and Kolb (2010) described a case study in which a playful activity in a team created a 'ludic learning space,' which evidently helped to promote learning.

    “Recently, Kolb and Kolb (2010) described a case study in which a playful activity in a team created a”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kolb and Kolb (2010) source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premiseown data

    The SMAP showed correlations in the expected direction and range with the need for play scale, the APS, and a list of adjectives based on Barnett's study, interpreted as support for convergent validity.

    “Furthermore, he found correlations in the expected direction and range with the need for play scale of the Personality Research Form (Jackson, 1984), Glynn and Webster's (1992), (1993) Adult Playfulness Scale, and a total score out of a list of adjectives set together based on Barnett's (2007) study, which was interpreted as support for its convergent validity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Jackson, 1984

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Glynn and Webster's (1992), (1993) source
    • cites Barnett's (2007) source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    McGhee (2010) describes humor as a form of play-the play with ideas and a playful frame of mind is one of the preconditions for humor to occur.

    “McGhee (2010) describes humor as a form of play-the play with ideas and a playful frame of mind is one of the preconditions for humor to occur.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites McGhee (2010)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Ruch et al. reported good internal consistencies (median = .77), stabilities (median test-retest correlation across nine months = .73), and factorial and convergent validity for the German VIA-IS.

    “Ruch et al. (2010) reported good internal consistencies (median = .77),stabilities (the median test-retest correlation across nine months was .73),and provide information on the factorial as well as convergent validity of the German form”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ruch et al. 2010 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Humor and playfulness are best seen as strongly overlapping without being identical.

    “However, some forms of humor do not relate to play at all, so humor and playfulness are best seen as strongly overlapping without being identical.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Too much self-regulation or modest behavior may hinder the production or sharing of unconventional or new ideas or may hinder spontaneity.

    “it seems evident that too much of self-regulation or modest behavior may hinder the production or sharing of unconventional or new ideas or may hinder spontaneity to occur.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There is evidence that playfulness is related to the perception of aesthetics and the approval (and low disapproval) of abstract, complex pieces of art.

    “Additionally, there is also evidence that playfulness should be related to the perception of aesthetics and the approval (and low disapproval) of abstract, complex pieces of art (Proyer RT: Development and initial assessment of a short measure for adult playfulness: The SMAP, submitted)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Proyer RT: Development and initial assessment of a short measure for adult playfulness: The SMAP, submitted

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Playfulness seems to be a way of effectively displaying interpersonal strengths.

    “Playfulness seems to be a way of effectively displaying interpersonal strengths; for example, when playfully expressing love towards other people or, for example, in social interaction situations (e.g., discussions, group meetings, or interviews) playfully easing tension or enabling creative processes in a group.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Lieberman (1977) sees playfulness as a combination of spontaneity, manifest joy, and the sense of humor.

    “Lieberman (1977) sees playfulness as a combination of spontaneity, manifest joy, and the sense of humor.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lieberman (1977)

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    All subsequently conducted analyses controlled for a potential impact of demographics.

    “Therefore, all subsequently conducted analyses controlled for a potential impact of demographics.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The SMAP has best fit for a one-dimensional solution and high internal consistencies (≥ .80 in different samples).

    “Proyer reports best fit for a one-dimensional solution of the data (in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) and high internal consistencies (≥ .80 in different samples).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Proyer RT: Development and initial assessment of a short measure for adult playfulness: The SMAP, submitted

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There is a long tradition of research that relates playfulness to creativity.

    “There is a long tradition of research that relates playfulness to creativity (see e.g., Barnett andKleiber 1982, 1984;Lieberman 1977).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Barnett andKleiber 1982, 1984

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Lieberman 1977

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In a recent study, greater playfulness was associated with greater approval and lower disapproval of complex, abstract paintings, while playful and nonplayful participants did not differ in their (dis-)approval of simple geometrical figures.

    “In a recent study (Proyer RT: Development and initial assessment of a short measure for adult playfulness: The SMAP, submitted), greater playfulness was associated with greater approval and lower disapproval of complex, abstract paintings while playful and nonplayful participants did not differ in their (dis-)approval of simple geometrical figures.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Proyer RT: Development and initial assessment of a short measure for adult playfulness: The SMAP, submitted

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Glynn and Webster report satisfying internal consistencies and test-retest correlations and a robust factor solution for the APS.

    “Glynn and Webster (1992) report satisfying internal consistencies and test-retest correlations and a robust factor solution for their instrument.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Glynn and Webster 1992 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Playful adults are seen as approaching life with excitement and energy, which is Peterson and Seligman's short definition of zest.

    “Furthermore, playful adults are seen as approaching life with excitement and energy, which is Peterson and Seligman's (2004) short definition of zest.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Peterson and Seligman 2004

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Ruch and colleagues (2010) report a five-factor solution for the German version of the VIA-IS.

    “Ruch and colleagues (2010) report a five-factor solution for the German version of the VIA-IS.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ruch and colleagues (2010)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Mean scores and standard deviations were comparable with earlier studies that used these instruments, and the scales showed the same small correlations with demographics (e.g., greater religiousness in higher age r(265)=.17, p<.01).

    “Mean scores and standard deviations were comparable with earlier studies that used these instruments and the scales showed the same (small) correlations with demographics; e.g., greater religiousness in higher age (r (265) = .17,p < .01).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The SMAP alpha-coefficient in this sample was .86.

    “The alpha-coefficient in this sample was .86.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Humor is used synonymously with playfulness in the VIA-classification of character strengths.

    “Humor is used synonymously with playfulness in the VIA-classification of character strengths (Peterson and Seligman 2004).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Peterson and Seligman 2004

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    The present data do not allow for causal inferences.

    “Of course, the present data does not allow for causal inferences but it seems evident that too much of self-regulation or modest behavior may hinder the production or sharing of unconventional or new ideas or may hinder spontaneity to occur.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    At a theoretical level, humor was interpreted as being a variant of play.

    “At a theoretical level, humor was interpreted as being a variant of play.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Playfulness seems to contribute to the good life in various forms.

    “However, playfulness also seems to contribute to the good life in various forms and further studies are needed for a better understanding of this relation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There is a relation between exhibiting playfulness and the experience of positive emotions.
44 of 44

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is comparatively little literature on playfulness as a personality characteristic and even less on playfulness in adults.

    “However, there is comparatively little literature on playfulness as a personality characteristic and even less on playfulness in adults.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Playfulness in adults has not yet been systematically studied within a broad framework of positive psychological functioning.

    “Playfulness, however, has not yet been systematically studied within a broad framework of positive psychological functioning.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Playfulness in adults has not yet been studied in relation to a compendium of positive traits.

    “Thus far, playfulness in adults has not yet been studied in relation to a compendium of positive traits.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    This study is the first to test adult playfulness in relation to a framework of positive psychological functioning.

    “This study tested adult playfulness for the first time in its relation to a framework of positive psychological functioning.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is a relation between exhibiting playfulness and the experience of positive emotions.

    “Clearly, there is a relation between exhibiting playfulness and the experience of positive emotions.”
5 of 5

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentr(265) = 0.17reported p < .01 · recomputed p = .005

    “r (265) = .17,p < .01”

1 of 1

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • First regression reports an impossible residual degrees of freedom

    Minor

    Table 2 gives N = 266 and lists seven predictors in the final model. A regression with seven predictors and 266 observations has 258 residual degrees of freedom, not 266; the reported F statistic therefore cannot describe that model as labeled.

  • Final regression step is labeled Step 5 instead of Step 6

    Minor

    Table 2 labels both its penultimate and final models Step 5, although its note attributes the final increment in explained variance to Step 6.

  • Temperance strengths are not uniformly negatively related to playfulness

    Minor

    The text says the listed temperance strengths yielded negative relations, but Table 1 reports positive correlations for forgiveness, including .22 with fun playfulness.

  • Second regression reports residual degrees of freedom exceeding the sample size

    Minor

    The study sample has 268 adults. An F test with five numerator degrees of freedom cannot have 266 residual degrees of freedom with a sample of that size.

4 of 4

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Authors
Proyer, R. T., & Ruch, W.
Affiliations
University of Zurich (CH)
Corresponding author
Proyer, René T
ORCID
Venue
Psychology of Well-Being: Theory, Research and Practice
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2011
Volume
1
Issue
1
Pages
4
ISSN
2211-1522 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/2211-1522-1-4
OpenAlex
W2158979445
Semantic Scholar
484c1cfbcb1f853aca9ae82b2728bd7df4231fc8
Cited by
89
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 4
FWCI
7.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Psychology of Well-Being Theory Research and Practice (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Humor Studies and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Keywords
adult playfulness, character strengths, values in action, humor, creativity, fun, spontaneous play, emotional strength, prudence, teamwork, well-being

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-17.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-17.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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