▶ Your Answer :
The lecturer discusses three theories about why animals play and maintains that each theory is subject to dispute. This is in opposition to the reading passage's claim that these theories are plausible.
First of all, the lecturer argues that in contrasts to what the surplus energy theory claims, animals do not stop playing even when they are hungry or malnourished. For exemple, even when hungry, young marine mammals play. This contradicts the reading passage's claim that amimals play because they have excess energy.
On top of that, the lecturer asserts that playing is not necessarily beneficial to individual survival as the instinct-practice theory suggests. In fact, play is very risky and can lead to injury or death. Young seals, for instance, are often killed while playing. These points contradict the reading passage's claim that playful activities serve a survival function.
Finally, the lecturer says that animals do not play to establish hierarchy as the socialization theory asserts. For one thing, adults within the community continue to play even after relationships have been formed. On top of that, dominance in communities is established through real battles. Thus, the lecturer's argument counters the reading passage's claim that play is used to maintain hierarchy. |