Theoretical Suppositions

• Skill acquisition occurs during play
  
  
  • What skills are acquired?
    
    
  • What is the relationship between proximal gain and distal value?
    
    
    • Provisions (food)
      
      
    • Protection (aggregate)
      
      
    • Procreation (variability; options)
      
      

• Behaviors are signals; bids are critical
  
  
• Play has costs
  
  
  • What is the unit of cost?
    
    
  • How is it determined by the participants?
    
    
    • How is it determined by scientists?
      
      
  • How does participant age modify costs, if it does?
    
    
  • How does familiarity (partnership duration) influence this cost?