Affect in Pretend Play and Creativity

Pretend play is a creative act and an essential part of childhood. Both imagination and affect are expressed in pretend play. Affective processes that occur in both pretend play and creativity are: positive affect and joy in the task; pretend affect states; affective ideation; and integration of affect. Theories of the role of affect in creativity are discussed. Empirical support for the association between affect in pretend play and creativity and the facilitation of affect in pretend play is reviewed. Future research should investigate neurological correlates of pretend play.