Research - Source #1 - What are puzzles and why do we enjoy them?

 

Why We Enjoy Puzzles: The View From Play Studies

Puzzling is a special kind of play—and teaches special lessons.


Henricks, T., PhD. (2022, March 1). Puzzling is a special kind of play—and teaches special lessons. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pathways-experience/202203/why-we-enjoy-puzzles-the-view-play-studies


In the foundational stages of creating a puzzle, and in turn a puzzle book for adults, one must understand what the term means and what purpose(s) they serve. To distract ourselves from the mediocrity and monotonous routine of daily life, we need something exciting, thrilling, and relaxing simultaneously. Another key term to consider in this puzzling - get it a pun - equation is "play". We may think playing is just for kids. However, as they grow into adults, so do their minds and desire for amusement and sometimes individualistic desires. In the article, six distinct traits were listed as a part of play: transformative, bounded, contestive, unpredictable, self-regulated, and episodic.  

 

In relation to my capstone project, I would like to keep these six traits in mind. I am now at a juxtaposition to create online puzzle games with an additional component of a physical book. Many of the concepts explained in this article addressed the use of jigsaw puzzles which aren't completely helpful or reasonably capable of being intertwined with my chosen mediums. What I took away as most important in puzzle (an in turn game design) is that adults run on a reward system for challenges. If an activity is too difficult or too easy, what is the point of doing it? I think another fun challenge for me is to consider thought processes different than my own. Simply because I perceive and understand a concept in one manner, does not mean it is uniform for everyone else. 




Image:


Play for Adults - National Institute for Play. (n.d.). National Institute for Play. https://nifplay.org/play-for-you/make-play-part-of-an-adult-life/







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