Play in Two Societies: Pervasiveness of Process, Specificity of Structure.

Compared exploratory, symbolic, and social play and interaction of Argentine and U.S. 20-month olds and their mothers. Found patterns of cultural similarity in sex differences and differences in the use of exploratory and symbolic play. Overall, Argentine and U.S. dyads used different modes of exploration, representation, and interaction, emphasizing "other-directed" acts of pretense versus "functional" and "combinatorial" exploration. (Author/KB)