8 Play personalities – and why we all do it differently

Ever wondered why some of us hanker for a game of golf and others feel much more at home at a film festival?

Turns out, we all have different play personalities.

Dr Stuart Brown, one of the worlds leading play scientists has assessed that there are 8 different play personalities.  These eight play personalities are not based on scientific data, but over thousands of interviews and observations, Dr. Brown has found that we can be placed into 8 different categories.  People naturally fit a few play personalities based on the situation, but generally one of the play modes is most prominent — a person’s favourite form of play.

Think about the type of play you did as a child,  traditionally this will be your more dominant play personality.

THE COLLECTOR

The thrill of play for the collector is to have and to hold an interesting collection of objects or experiences. It may be stamps, coins, wine, art or collecting cruise ship adventures,  Collectors find joy in obtaining the best and as many of a ‘something’ as they can.

These collections can be done solo or shared with friends… who doesn’t love a good swap-meet?

THE COMPETITOR

If you love to win, a challenge, the fastest time, perhaps you are a competitor. You may love an individual challenge, like a spelling-bee or a team sport like curling.

The joy for the competitor comes from ‘being in the game’ – usually a game bound by rules.

And it’s not just sporting or recreational games.. the competitor will step up in a social context too,  vowing for popularity or leadership.

THE CREATOR/ARTIST

Yes,  a lover of artistic pursuits,  but also engaged in the need to create something to share with the world, the creator will want to make things to satisfy their creative state of play. 

Steve Jobs was a supreme creator/artist; he stood out in the technology industry because he created products with capabilities ahead of their time packaged in beautiful designs.

THE DIRECTOR

Directors love to plan. They love organisation. They love to make things happen.  Whether this is through being the social butterfly, event organising or bossing about a sibling – the director likes to be in control.

You’ll want a good director type around when it’s time for parties or events. 

THE EXPLORER

We all start out as explorers, and some of us never lose the urge.  For explorers,  they are driven by an innate sense of curiosity to discover.  Whether physical – literally going to new places – or emotional – enjoying a new feeling through movement or sensation – the explorer is always seeking out new points of view. 

THE JOKER

A joker is always involved in some kind of foolishness. Energized by making others laugh,  the joker can often find social acceptance by clowning around with others.

A stalwart of history, many comedians fall into a Joker personality and don’t we all know an uncle whose practical holiday pranks probably cast him in this group too.

THE KINESTHETE

Hooked on movement,  Kinesthete’s love to engage the body, and often need to do so to think.  Naturally high energy, often kinesthetes want to test the body’s limit and find their play state by engaging in some sort of physical fun or challenge.

Think running, jumping, dancing – a kinesthete is that last one to leave the dancefloor.

THE STORYTELLER

Imagination is the key to the Storytellers play state.  With the ability to empathise and take themselves on the journey,  storytellers are dreamers, finding a play state in any activity, so long as it’s an adventure.

Often found with their head in a book, many writers, poets and novelists are storytellers.