Brian Sutton-Smith vs. George Herbert Meads

Educationist Brian Sutton-Smith and Social psychologist George Herbert Mead have very similar views when it comes to play and games. They both look at them as a social thing. A measure of social growth or maturity, but Mead in addition believes that games a social activity “is all about communication” (Mead 160).

Sutton-Smith looks at games to be a measure of a society and how much it is developed. Stating that “the more complex a social system, the more advanced its games” (Sutton-Smith 159). This view makes one think of the games of today, and wonder if this could be true. Games in today’s time are very complex, and take on many different challenges that must be overcome. This is much like the society that we live in filled with challenges that must be conquered to continue on to the next stage of society’s growth.

Mead states that “play and games, also being symbolic, are a clear precursor to adult communication” (Mead 160). He ties games into social growth, but in terms of communication. As if, games were some kind of training for kids to prepare them for the real world, so they will be able to communicate on an adult level when the time came. Meads also says that “to go from play to game requires the individual to integrate himself into a higher level of group organization” (Mead 160). This is immense in the terms of society because it is important for people to be able to come together, and work for one common goal.

Sutton-Smith definition for game is “an exercise of voluntary control system in which there is an opposition between forces, confined by a procedure and rules in order to produce a disequilibrial outcome” (Sutton-Smith). These views of games takes on a whole new look on things when it comes to society, and its rules. That the rules of society must be followed by everyone involved to achieve the general aspiration. This is similar to Mead’s view that games are a form of preparation for life, and that are must be prepared to be able to communicate on a higher level, while always heading in the same direction.

Both Brian Sutton-Smith and George Herbert Mead have interesting views on play and games. Although they may see things a little different in terms of the intention of games, they both see them as a way to evaluate or determine what is going on in society. Sutton-Smith and Mead also agree that games are a way to learn the rules of life. A way to indirectly teach people to work, and think together to obtain a complete society.